Driving in Antigua and Barbuda vs El Salvador: Key Differences
When exploring the unique road regulations of Antigua and Barbuda versus El Salvador, you'll discover significant contrasts in driving practices. For instance, while Antigua and Barbuda drives on the left side of the road, El Salvador adheres to the right. Additionally, speed limits and lane usage vary substantially, impacting overall road safety. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Antigua and barbuda | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Overtaking is done on the right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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. |
Driving Side
antigua and barbuda:
Left
el salvador:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
antigua and barbuda:
No
el salvador:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
antigua and barbuda:
Overtaking is done on the right.
el salvador:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
antigua and barbuda:
Use leftmost lane.
el salvador:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
el salvador:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses.
el salvador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
el salvador:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
el salvador:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles.
el salvador:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
el salvador:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Antigua and barbuda | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-30 mph | 20-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 mph | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-50 mph | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-50 mph | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-50 mph | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-55 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 50-55 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 50-55 mph | 80-90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited | No |
Urban Areas: Standard
antigua and barbuda:
20-30 mph
el salvador:
20-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
antigua and barbuda:
20 mph
el salvador:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
el salvador:
80-90 km/h
Speed Units
antigua and barbuda:
mph
el salvador:
km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
el salvador:
No
Signals
| Antigua and barbuda | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not common in El Salvador |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border and white background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
antigua and barbuda:
Not used
el salvador:
Not common in El Salvador
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
antigua and barbuda:
Signal when exiting
el salvador:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
el salvador:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
antigua and barbuda:
English; symbols are standard
el salvador:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
antigua and barbuda:
Triangular-shaped with red border and white background
el salvador:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Antigua and barbuda | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signed otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
antigua and barbuda:
Prohibited
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
antigua and barbuda:
Permitted unless signed otherwise
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Antigua and barbuda | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required | Mandatory annual inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
antigua and barbuda:
Periodic inspections required
el salvador:
Mandatory annual inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
antigua and barbuda:
Displayed on vehicle
el salvador:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
el salvador:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
el salvador:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Antigua and barbuda | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in some areas to communicate |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Yield and make way |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
antigua and barbuda:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
el salvador:
Frequent use in some areas to communicate
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
antigua and barbuda:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
el salvador:
Yield and make way
Alcohol
| Antigua and barbuda | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties for DUI | Substantial fines and penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.08%
el salvador:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.00%
el salvador:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%
el salvador:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
antigua and barbuda:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
el salvador:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial penalties for DUI
el salvador:
Substantial fines and penalties
Roundabouts
| Antigua and barbuda | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
antigua and barbuda:
Signal left when preparing to exit
el salvador:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Antigua and barbuda | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary | 120 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 121 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
antigua and barbuda:
911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary
el salvador:
120
Contact: Roadside Assistance
antigua and barbuda:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
el salvador:
121
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
el salvador:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
el salvador:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Antigua and barbuda | El salvador | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points | Varies; $20 to $100 |
| 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 | $20 to $50 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points in some cases | $30 to $100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | $50 to $200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid immediately | Yes, frequently enforced |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points
el salvador:
Varies; $20 to $100
Common Fines: Alcohol
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
el salvador:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
antigua and barbuda:
$25 to $200, points in some cases
el salvador:
$20 to $50
Common Fines: Phone Use
antigua and barbuda:
$50 to $300, points in some cases
el salvador:
$30 to $100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
antigua and barbuda:
$100 to $500, points on license
el salvador:
$50 to $200
Payment: On The Spot
antigua and barbuda:
Yes; fines can be paid immediately
el salvador:
Yes, frequently enforced
Payment: Deadline
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
el salvador:
Typically 30 days to pay