Guide to Driving In Colombia - Drive Safe in Colombia

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Colombia and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

60 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

80 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

100 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 40mg

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in Colombia on the Right side  
urban
The currency in Colombia is COP
urban
To rent a car is  23 years and to drive is 16 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in Colombia 0.95 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Colombia

Driving in Colombia
Pocket guide to driving in Colombia
Profile:
Colombia
Bogotá
COP
Driving in Colombia
SPEED: (kph)
60
80
100
Speed limit in Colombia
Holiday:
Rush hour in Colombia
Cameras:
YES
YES
Speed cameras in Colombia
FUEL:
0.95
0.57
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Colombia
See World Fuel Prices for full statistics
MIN AGE:
16
23
Min driving age in Colombia
DRINK:
40mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Colombia
EMERGENCY:
112/123
Emergency phone number in Colombia
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Colombia
PHONES:
No
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Colombia
SEATBELTS:
Yes
Yes
Seat belt in Colombia
See here for current child seats law in Colombia

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Colombia?

Colombia has been a very dangerous country in the past, mainly because of drug trafficking. Whilst it's still very relevant, the related crime is less than it has been. That said, it's best to stick to only the tourist areas and don't travel too far at night; on foot or in a car.

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 123

Police Fire: 123

Police Ambulance: 123

Notes: There will not be an English speaker answering the telephone

DieselUnleaded
Mar , 2024

€ 0.57

€ 0.95

Feb , 2024

€ 0.57

€ 0.95

Jan , 2024

€ 0.56

€ 0.94

Dec , 2023

€ 0.56

€ 0.90

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking regulations
 
Parking is simple in many towns in Colombia but in the business and commercial districts of the larger cities, you’ll face more regulation. This usually means the use of parking bays controlled by meters and ticket machines or areas where you cannot park, usually demarcated by white or yellow lines.  
 
Paid parking
 
In the main cities you’ll find a lot of ‘pay for’ parking and it’s best to use these for safety of your car and yourself. Better still, use a commercial attended parking area or garage where you’ll be a lot safer.
 
Enforcement
 
Enforcement of parking is not widespread and it’s only if you cause an obstruction or overstay your ticket by a substantial period that you’ll encounter problems. 
 
Disabled parking
 
Parking concessions for the disabled are limited in Colombia. You’ll find special parking spaces in many of the garages and especially the hotels but they’re often used selfishly by able-bodied drivers. If you need significant help, ask the garage attendant to assist you.

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 123

Police Fire: 123

Police Ambulance: 123

In almost all parts of Colombia, the emergency number is 112 but in Bogota, Medellin and Cucuta the number is 123

What to do in an emergency

If you have a problem with your car you should first contact the number given to you by the local agent who should be able to assist. If you are driving a private car, make sure you take a number of an emergency assistance company with you. 
 
In the event of an accident you must call the police. Do not move the vehicles unless they are causing a danger to other road users. The police will issue a report which you will need for your insurers or for the car hire company.

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

  • Give way - Ceda el paso
  • Traffic lights - Semaforas
  • Right of way – Prioridad
  • Exit – Salida
  • Danger – Peligro
  • No parking - Prohibido aparcar
  • Slow – Despacio
  • Lane – Un carril
  • City centre – Centro ciudad
  • Carretera – Local Highway
  • Roadworks – Obras
  • Where is the nearest petrol station? – ¿Donde es la gasolinera la más cercana?
  • Excuse me, I’m lost – Por favor, estoy perdido…
  • Go straight on – ‘Siga todo recto’
  • Turn right – ‘Toma el giro a la derecha’
  • Turn left – ‘Toma el giro a la izquierda’
  • Detour - Desviacion
  • Toll Road – Carretera de Peaje
  • Road Closed – Cerrado.
  • Road Open – Abierto
  • Motorway – Una autopista
  • One way street – Direccíon unica
  • Dual Carriageway - Autovia

Colombia Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Mar , 2024

€ 0.57

€ 0.95

Feb , 2024

€ 0.57

€ 0.95

Jan , 2024

€ 0.56

€ 0.94

Dec , 2023

€ 0.56

€ 0.90

Nov , 2023

€ 0.55

€ 0.88

Oct , 2023

€ 0.55

€ 0.85

Sep , 2023

€ 0.57

€ 0.89

Aug , 2023

€ 0.54

€ 0.81

Jul , 2023

€ 0.52

€ 0.75

Jun , 2023

€ 0.52

€ 0.70

May , 2023

€ 0.49

€ 0.63

Apr , 2023

€ 0.48

€ 0.59

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Mar , 2024 0.57 0.95
Feb , 2024 0.57 0.95
Jan , 2024 0.56 0.94
Dec , 2023 0.56 0.90
Nov , 2023 0.55 0.88
Oct , 2023 0.55 0.85
Sep , 2023 0.57 0.89
Aug , 2023 0.54 0.81
Jul , 2023 0.52 0.75
Jun , 2023 0.52 0.70
May , 2023 0.49 0.63
Apr , 2023 0.48 0.59

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Colombia and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.
Phil Partridge
Posted by Phil Partridge
About the Author -

Travel writer, car rental guru, Phil has rented cars all over the world and shares his knowledge and experience on the Rhinocarhire.com Blog. Favourite country to visit: France.

Visitor Comments

  • 04/03/2021

    camilo

    Don't drink any alcoholic drink, the alcohol level that the guide indicates as allowed is wrong, you can't even have 0.1 mg of alcohol, the allowed level of alcohol in the blood is 0 mg
  • 02/11/2018

    Pavel

    Hello there, i just got in Peru, but 14 days ago i was driving in Colombia with AVIS rent-a-car, today 1000$ was blocked from my bank acc from AVIS because of a tickets from speed cameras. According to the info here there is no cameras static devices in Colombia at all. Please give me some more info if you have. kind regards
  • 02/11/2018

    Matty

    That statement is definitely incorrect. In Cali they have static speed cameras all over the place, many unmarked or poorly marked so look out or it will cost you.
  • 02/11/2018

    Cian

    Lots of bad information. There is loads of toll roads. Has been for years. 10000 pesos is very common. Very high. It doesn't mean a better road. Petrol/gasoline is sold in US gallons - not imperial which is bigger than US. I don't think the author ever drove here. Motorway? Jajaja.. where? I've driven all over.