Driving in Peru vs. Trinidad and Tobago: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Peru and Trinidad and Tobago, understanding their unique traffic regulations is crucial for safe travel. While Peru drives on the right, Trinidad and Tobago adheres to the left. Speed limits, lane usage, and traffic signals also differ significantly, highlighting the importance of familiarizing oneself with each country’s distinct road etiquette.
Lanes
| Peru | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, when safe and permitted. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Marked with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
peru:
Right
trinidad and tobago:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
peru:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
trinidad and tobago:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
peru:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
No
Overtaking: On Right
peru:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, when safe and permitted.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
peru:
Use rightmost lane.
trinidad and tobago:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
peru:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
peru:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
peru:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
peru:
Exclusive for bicycles.
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
peru:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
peru:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
peru:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Peru | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 65 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; often collected by traffic police | Common, officers may issue fines directly |
Urban Areas: Standard
peru:
40-60 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
peru:
90 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
peru:
90 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
peru:
80 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
peru:
100-120 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
peru:
90 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
peru:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
peru:
Common; often collected by traffic police
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
Signals
| Peru | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Peru | Not used in Trinidad and Tobago |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
peru:
Yellow
trinidad and tobago:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
peru:
Not used in Peru
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
peru:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Headlight Flash: Usage
peru:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
trinidad and tobago:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
peru:
Spanish; symbols are standard
trinidad and tobago:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Peru | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Only at intersections without signs prohibiting | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
peru:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
trinidad and tobago:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
peru:
Only at intersections without signs prohibiting
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Peru | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, proof is required during checks | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Typically displayed on vehicle | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Insurance
peru:
Liability insurance mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
peru:
Mandatory, proof is required during checks
trinidad and tobago:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
peru:
Typically displayed on vehicle
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
peru:
Recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Peru | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used more compared to some countries | Frequent use to communicate in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
peru:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
trinidad and tobago:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
peru:
Often used more compared to some countries
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
peru:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
trinidad and tobago:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Peru | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used widely | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
peru:
0.05%
trinidad and tobago:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
peru:
0.00%
trinidad and tobago:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
peru:
0.00%
trinidad and tobago:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
peru:
Common; checkpoints used widely
trinidad and tobago:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
peru:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Peru | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 105 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines | 999 or use local police numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local service | Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
peru:
105
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
peru:
Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
peru:
Check with your insurance provider or local service
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
peru:
Recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Peru | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict | TT$ 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict | TT$ 1,500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, often substantial | TT$ 2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few days to pay | Varies; typically within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
peru:
Varies; fines can be significant
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
peru:
Fines apply, often substantial
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
peru:
Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
Payment: Deadline
peru:
Varies; typically a few days to pay
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days