Driving in Antigua and Barbuda vs. Ireland: Key Differences
Discover the unique driving landscapes of Antigua and Barbuda and Ireland in this insightful comparison. While both nations share certain road rules, notable distinctions exist, such as speed limits and overtaking practices. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad, especially when navigating busy urban areas or rural routes.
Lanes
| Antigua and barbuda | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | No, overtake on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Overtaking is done on the right. | Yes, standard overtaking side. |
| 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
antigua and barbuda:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
antigua and barbuda:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
antigua and barbuda:
No
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
antigua and barbuda:
Overtaking is done on the right.
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
Bus Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
ireland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses.
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
ireland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles.
ireland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Antigua and barbuda | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-30 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 mph | 30 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 | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-55 mph | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 50-55 mph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 50-55 mph | 90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
antigua and barbuda:
20-30 mph
ireland:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
antigua and barbuda:
20 mph
ireland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
ireland:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
ireland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
ireland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
ireland:
90 km/h
Speed Units
antigua and barbuda:
mph
ireland:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
ireland:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Yes
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
Signals
| Antigua and barbuda | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Indicates the light is about to turn green. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border and white background | Triangles with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
antigua and barbuda:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
antigua and barbuda:
Not used
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
antigua and barbuda:
Signal when exiting
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
antigua and barbuda:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
Horn Usage: Penalties
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
ireland:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Warning
antigua and barbuda:
Triangular-shaped with red border and white background
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
Turns
| Antigua and barbuda | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signed otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
antigua and barbuda:
Prohibited
ireland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
antigua and barbuda:
Permitted unless signed otherwise
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Antigua and barbuda | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
antigua and barbuda:
Periodic inspections required
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
antigua and barbuda:
Displayed on vehicle
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
ireland:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Alcohol
| Antigua and barbuda | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Random breath testing is common. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties for DUI | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.08%
ireland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.00%
ireland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
antigua and barbuda:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
Enforcement: Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial penalties for DUI
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Antigua and barbuda | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
ireland:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Antigua and barbuda | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Required |
Contact: General Emergency
antigua and barbuda:
911
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Traffic Police
antigua and barbuda:
911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
antigua and barbuda:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
ireland:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Antigua and barbuda | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license |
| 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 | €60 fine and two penalty points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points in some cases | €60 fine and three penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | €80 and three penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid immediately | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot |
Common Fines: Speeding
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
ireland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
antigua and barbuda:
$25 to $200, points in some cases
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
Common Fines: Phone Use
antigua and barbuda:
$50 to $300, points in some cases
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
antigua and barbuda:
$100 to $500, points on license
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
antigua and barbuda:
Yes; fines can be paid immediately
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot