Driving Differences: Antigua and Barbuda vs. Jamaica
Exploring the driving landscapes of Antigua and Barbuda versus Jamaica reveals striking contrasts in road rules and safety regulations. From distinct lane markings to varying speed limits, understanding these nuances is essential for travelers. Familiarizing yourself with Jamaica's bus lane practices and Antigua's unique overtaking rules can significantly enhance your experience and ensure a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Antigua and barbuda | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Overtaking is done on the right. | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Bridge crossings |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses. | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Marked with signs indicating bus lane |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles. | 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
antigua and barbuda:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
antigua and barbuda:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Right
antigua and barbuda:
Overtaking is done on the right.
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
antigua and barbuda:
Railroad crossings
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
Bus Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses.
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
Bus Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
Cycle Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles.
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
Cycle Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
jamaica:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
Speeds Limits
| Antigua and barbuda | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-30 mph | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-50 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-50 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-50 mph | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-55 mph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 50-55 mph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 50-55 mph | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common for immediate traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
antigua and barbuda:
20-30 mph
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
antigua and barbuda:
20 mph
jamaica:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
jamaica:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
jamaica:
80 km/h
Speed Units
antigua and barbuda:
mph
jamaica:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
jamaica:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Yes
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
Signals
| Antigua and barbuda | 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 | 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 | N/A | 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: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border and white background | Often triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
antigua and barbuda:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
antigua and barbuda:
Not used
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
Horn Usage: Allowed
antigua and barbuda:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
antigua and barbuda:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
Horn Usage: Penalties
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
Headlight Flash: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Not to be used to signal other messages
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
Hand Signals: Permitted
antigua and barbuda:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
Hand Signals: Common Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
Traffic Signs: Warning
antigua and barbuda:
Triangular-shaped with red border and white background
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
Turns
| Antigua and barbuda | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Permitted unless signed otherwise | Allowed unless signs prohibit it |
Left Turn: General
antigua and barbuda:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Left Turn: At Intersections
antigua and barbuda:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
U- Turns Allowed
antigua and barbuda:
Permitted unless signed otherwise
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
Documentation
| Antigua and barbuda | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | 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
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
antigua and barbuda:
Periodic inspections required
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
antigua and barbuda:
Displayed on vehicle
jamaica:
Not consistently used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Antigua and barbuda | 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 | Less 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 left 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
antigua and barbuda:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
Flashing Lights: Misuse
antigua and barbuda:
Discouraged, fines may apply
jamaica:
Informally regulated
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
antigua and barbuda:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
jamaica:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
antigua and barbuda:
Discouraged and may be penalized
jamaica:
Discouraged
Use Of Horn: Limited
antigua and barbuda:
Only in emergency situations
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
antigua and barbuda:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
antigua and barbuda:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
antigua and barbuda:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
antigua and barbuda:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
Alcohol
| Antigua and barbuda | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 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 | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Occasionally conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties for DUI | 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: Professional Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.00%
jamaica:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
antigua and barbuda:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
Zero Tolerance: Medications
antigua and barbuda:
Check if medication affects driving ability
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
Enforcement: Random Checks
antigua and barbuda:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
Enforcement: Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial penalties for DUI
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
antigua and barbuda:
Possible for severe offenses
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
Test Refusal
antigua and barbuda:
Can result in license suspension
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Antigua and barbuda | 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 |
| 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
antigua and barbuda:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
Priority: Inside
antigua and barbuda:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
antigua and barbuda:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
Lane Usage: Right
antigua and barbuda:
Use for first exit or straight
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
Lane Usage: Left
antigua and barbuda:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
jamaica:
Use for other exits
Emergency Services
| Antigua and barbuda | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary | 119 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local 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
antigua and barbuda:
911
jamaica:
119 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
antigua and barbuda:
911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary
jamaica:
119
Contact: Roadside Assistance
antigua and barbuda:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jamaica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Antigua and barbuda | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points | 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 | $25 to $200, points in some cases | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points in some cases | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Subject to fines and points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid immediately | Possible for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | 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
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
antigua and barbuda:
$25 to $200, points in some cases
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
antigua and barbuda:
$50 to $300, points in some cases
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
antigua and barbuda:
$100 to $500, points on license
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
Payment: On The Spot
antigua and barbuda:
Yes; fines can be paid immediately
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Same as residents; must be paid
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
antigua and barbuda:
Possible if fines are not paid
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines