Driving Differences: Afghanistan vs Jamaica Explained
Discover the contrasts in road regulations and safety measures between Afghanistan and Jamaica. While Afghanistan drives on the right with unique lane markings, Jamaica adheres to left-side driving and distinct bus lane protocols. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and informed driving experience in either nation.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. |
| 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 oncoming traffic is clear |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Bridge crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Marked with signs indicating bus lane |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Occasional with bicycle symbols |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings |
Driving Side
afghanistan:
Right
jamaica:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Left
afghanistan:
Yes
jamaica:
No
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
afghanistan:
Railroad crossings
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
afghanistan:
Use rightmost lane.
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
jamaica:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
jamaica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
jamaica:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Common for immediate traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
jamaica:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
jamaica:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
Signals
| Afghanistan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Jamaica |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Typically allowed in situations to avert danger |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged near hospitals and schools |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Rarely enforced |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To signal intentions, often a warning |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not widely restricted |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, especially if indicator lights fail |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Often triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
afghanistan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
Horn Usage: Allowed
afghanistan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
afghanistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
Horn Usage: Penalties
afghanistan:
Fines may apply for misuse
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
Headlight Flash: Usage
afghanistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
afghanistan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
Hand Signals: Permitted
afghanistan:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
Hand Signals: Common Usage
afghanistan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
Turns
| Afghanistan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Prohibited |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Allowed unless signs prohibit it |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
jamaica:
Prohibited
Left Turn: General
afghanistan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Left Turn: At Intersections
afghanistan:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not consistently used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
jamaica:
Not consistently used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To signal intentions or warnings |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Informally regulated |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Encouraged only to avert danger |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use; more common than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if safe |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Sirens and flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
afghanistan:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
Flashing Lights: Misuse
afghanistan:
Discouraged, fines may apply
jamaica:
Informally regulated
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
afghanistan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
jamaica:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
afghanistan:
Discouraged and may be penalized
jamaica:
Discouraged
Use Of Horn: Limited
afghanistan:
Only in emergency situations
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
afghanistan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
afghanistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
afghanistan:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check for impairment warnings |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Occasionally conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies with severity and past offenses |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe breaches |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
jamaica:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
jamaica:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
afghanistan:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
Zero Tolerance: Medications
afghanistan:
Check if medication affects driving ability
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
afghanistan:
Possible for severe offenses
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
Test Refusal
afghanistan:
Can result in license suspension
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Afghanistan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if taking an immediate exit |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for immediate or second exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for other exits |
Priority: Entering
afghanistan:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
Priority: Inside
afghanistan:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
afghanistan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
Signaling: Exiting
afghanistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
afghanistan:
Use for first exit or straight
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
Lane Usage: Left
afghanistan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
jamaica:
Use for other exits
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 119 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Depends on provider; often through insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
jamaica:
119 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
jamaica:
119
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jamaica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Subject to fines and points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Possible for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Must be paid promptly to avoid complications |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for unresolved fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
afghanistan:
Same as residents; must be paid
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
afghanistan:
Possible if fines are not paid
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines