Driving Differences: Afghanistan vs. Trinidad and Tobago
When navigating the roads of Afghanistan and Trinidad and Tobago, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their journey. From driving on opposite sides to varying speed limits and the presence of bus lanes, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience abroad.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Marked with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
afghanistan:
Right
trinidad and tobago:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
trinidad and tobago:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
trinidad and tobago:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
afghanistan:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
No
Overtaking: On Right
afghanistan:
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
afghanistan:
Use rightmost lane.
trinidad and tobago:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
trinidad and tobago:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
trinidad and tobago:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 65 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 | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Common, officers may issue fines directly |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
Signals
| Afghanistan | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | 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 | Pashto, Dari | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
afghanistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Headlight Flash: Usage
afghanistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
trinidad and tobago:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
trinidad and tobago:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
trinidad and tobago:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Afghanistan | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
trinidad and tobago:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
afghanistan:
Liability insurance mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
trinidad and tobago:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use 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
afghanistan:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
trinidad and tobago:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
afghanistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
trinidad and tobago:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
trinidad and tobago:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
trinidad and tobago:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
trinidad and tobago:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
trinidad and tobago:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 999 or use local police numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
afghanistan:
112
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | TT$ 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | TT$ 1,500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | TT$ 2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days