Driving in Antigua and Barbuda vs. Australia: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Antigua and Barbuda versus Australia, drivers encounter notable contrasts in regulations and practices. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol thresholds, all of which play a crucial role in ensuring safe travels. Understanding these variations is essential for a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Antigua and barbuda | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Overtaking is done on the right. | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses. | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
antigua and barbuda:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
antigua and barbuda:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
Overtaking: On Left
antigua and barbuda:
No
australia:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
antigua and barbuda:
Overtaking is done on the right.
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
australia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses.
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
australia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles.
australia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
australia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
australia:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
australia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Antigua and barbuda | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-30 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 mph | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-50 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-50 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-50 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-55 mph | 100-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 50-55 mph | 100-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 50-55 mph | 90-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; may vary by area. |
Urban Areas: Standard
antigua and barbuda:
20-30 mph
australia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
antigua and barbuda:
20 mph
australia:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
australia:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
australia:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
australia:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
australia:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
australia:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
australia:
90-100 km/h
Speed Units
antigua and barbuda:
mph
australia:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
australia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
australia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Yes
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
Signals
| Antigua and barbuda | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not commonly used. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border and white background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
antigua and barbuda:
Not used
australia:
Not commonly used.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
antigua and barbuda:
Signal when exiting
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
australia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Warning
antigua and barbuda:
Triangular-shaped with red border and white background
australia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Antigua and barbuda | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed, except where signage permits. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signed otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
antigua and barbuda:
Prohibited
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
U- Turns Allowed
antigua and barbuda:
Permitted unless signed otherwise
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
Documentation
| Antigua and barbuda | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required | Varies by state; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
antigua and barbuda:
Periodic inspections required
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
antigua and barbuda:
Displayed on vehicle
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
Alcohol
| Antigua and barbuda | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties for DUI | Varies by state; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.08%
australia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.00%
australia:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
Enforcement: Random Checks
antigua and barbuda:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
Enforcement: Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial penalties for DUI
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Antigua and barbuda | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal right if intending to turn immediately |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
antigua and barbuda:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
Lane Usage: Left
antigua and barbuda:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Antigua and barbuda | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 000 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary | Varies by state; contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA |
Contact: General Emergency
antigua and barbuda:
911
australia:
000
Contact: Traffic Police
antigua and barbuda:
911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
antigua and barbuda:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
Penalties And Fines
| Antigua and barbuda | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points in some cases | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points in some cases | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid immediately | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
Common Fines: Alcohol
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
australia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
antigua and barbuda:
$25 to $200, points in some cases
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
Common Fines: Phone Use
antigua and barbuda:
$50 to $300, points in some cases
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
antigua and barbuda:
$100 to $500, points on license
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
Payment: On The Spot
antigua and barbuda:
Yes; fines can be paid immediately
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
Payment: Deadline
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay