Driving Differences: Peru vs. United Kingdom
When navigating the roads of Peru and the United Kingdom, understanding the nuances of their traffic regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on different sides of the road, varying speed limits, and unique signage. This comparison provides crucial insights to help travelers adapt and ensure driving security in these diverse environments.
Lanes
| Peru | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
peru:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
peru:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
peru:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
peru:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
peru:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
peru:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
peru:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
peru:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
peru:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
peru:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
peru:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
peru:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
peru:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
peru:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
peru:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
peru:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Peru | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; often collected by traffic police | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
peru:
40-60 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
peru:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
peru:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
peru:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
peru:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
peru:
100-120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
peru:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
peru:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
peru:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
peru:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
peru:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
peru:
Common; often collected by traffic police
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Peru | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Peru | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
peru:
Yellow
united kingdom:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
peru:
Not used in Peru
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
peru:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
peru:
Spanish; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
peru:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Peru | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Only at intersections without signs prohibiting | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
peru:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
peru:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
peru:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
peru:
Only at intersections without signs prohibiting
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Peru | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, proof is required during checks | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Typically displayed on vehicle | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
peru:
Mandatory, proof is required during checks
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
peru:
Typically displayed on vehicle
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
peru:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
peru:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Peru | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used more compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
peru:
Often used more compared to some countries
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
peru:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Peru | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used widely | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
peru:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
peru:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
peru:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
peru:
Common; checkpoints used widely
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
peru:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Peru | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
peru:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
peru:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Peru | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 105 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local service | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
peru:
105
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
peru:
Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
peru:
Check with your insurance provider or local service
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
peru:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
peru:
Recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Peru | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, often substantial | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
peru:
Varies; fines can be significant
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
peru:
Fines apply, often substantial
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
peru:
Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
peru:
Varies; typically a few days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay