Driving in Colombia

The rules of the road as our desk recorded them, native unit first.

Driving side

Right

Speed limits

50 / 80 / 100 km/h · 31 / 50 / 62 mph

urban / rural / motorway

International permit (IDP)

Recommended · Geneva 1949

Home licence accepted for tourist stays - carry the IDP plus passport for police checks and rentals.

Blood alcohol limit

0.02‰ - effectively zero tolerance; heavy fines and licence seizure (Ley 1696)

Tolls

Cash toll booths (peajes) every 60–80 km on intercity roads - carry COP; no vignette

Headlights

Not required by day for cars; mandatory 24/7 for motorcycles; low beams in rain and tunnels

Child seats

Child restraint required under age 2; children under 10 must ride in the back seat

Mountain roads are slow - plan on a 40–50 km/h real average between cities, and avoid night driving on intercity routes.