Driving in Antigua and Barbuda vs. Japan: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Antigua and Barbuda versus Japan, travelers will encounter notable contrasts in traffic regulations and driving customs. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and the enforcement of penalties. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring safe and responsible motoring in each unique environment.
Lanes
| Antigua and barbuda | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Overtaking is done on the right. | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles. | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| 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.
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
antigua and barbuda:
Overtaking is done on the right.
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
japan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses.
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
japan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles.
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
japan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Antigua and barbuda | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-30 mph | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-50 mph | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-50 mph | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-50 mph | 60 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 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
antigua and barbuda:
20-30 mph
japan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
antigua and barbuda:
20 mph
japan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
japan:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
japan:
80 km/h
Speed Units
antigua and barbuda:
mph
japan:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
japan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Yes
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Antigua and barbuda | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Japan |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard |
| 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
japan:
Not used in Japan
Horn Usage: Penalties
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
japan:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
antigua and barbuda:
English; symbols are standard
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
antigua and barbuda:
Triangular-shaped with red border and white background
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Antigua and barbuda | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signed otherwise | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
antigua and barbuda:
Prohibited
japan:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
antigua and barbuda:
Permitted unless signed otherwise
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Antigua and barbuda | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required | Mandatory; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
antigua and barbuda:
Periodic inspections required
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
antigua and barbuda:
Displayed on vehicle
japan:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory
japan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Antigua and barbuda | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Generally used sparingly |
Flashing Lights: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
japan:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
antigua and barbuda:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
japan:
Generally used sparingly
Alcohol
| Antigua and barbuda | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00% | Prohibited; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints may be set up |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties for DUI | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.08%
japan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
antigua and barbuda:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
Enforcement: Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial penalties for DUI
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Antigua and barbuda | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
japan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Antigua and barbuda | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or JAF |
| 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
japan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
antigua and barbuda:
911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary
japan:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
antigua and barbuda:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
antigua and barbuda:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Antigua and barbuda | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points | Varies; substantial fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points in some cases | Fines; enforceable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points in some cases | Severe fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid immediately | Rare; fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
antigua and barbuda:
$25 to $200, points in some cases
japan:
Fines; enforceable
Common Fines: Phone Use
antigua and barbuda:
$50 to $300, points in some cases
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
antigua and barbuda:
$100 to $500, points on license
japan:
Fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
antigua and barbuda:
Yes; fines can be paid immediately
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days