Driving in Antigua and Barbuda vs. Mexico: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Antigua and Barbuda versus Mexico, drivers encounter distinctive regulations and practices that shape their experiences. Key contrasts include driving on the left in Antigua and Barbuda, while Mexico adheres to right-side traffic. Additionally, speed limits and regulations surrounding overtaking and alcohol consumption differ significantly, impacting overall road security.
Lanes
| Antigua and barbuda | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles. | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
antigua and barbuda:
Left
mexico:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
antigua and barbuda:
No
mexico:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
antigua and barbuda:
Overtaking is done on the right.
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
antigua and barbuda:
Use leftmost lane.
mexico:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
mexico:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses.
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
Bus Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
mexico:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles.
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Antigua and barbuda | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-30 mph | 40-60 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 | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-55 mph | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 50-55 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 50-55 mph | 80-100 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 | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
antigua and barbuda:
20-30 mph
mexico:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
antigua and barbuda:
20 mph
mexico:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
mexico:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
mexico:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
antigua and barbuda:
mph
mexico:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
mexico:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Yes
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
Signals
| Antigua and barbuda | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Mexico |
| 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 | Triangular signs with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
antigua and barbuda:
Not used
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
Horn Usage: Penalties
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
mexico:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
antigua and barbuda:
English; symbols are standard
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
antigua and barbuda:
Triangular-shaped with red border and white background
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
Turns
| Antigua and barbuda | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signed otherwise | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited |
Right Turn On Red
antigua and barbuda:
Prohibited
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
antigua and barbuda:
Permitted unless signed otherwise
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
Documentation
| Antigua and barbuda | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; 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 the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
antigua and barbuda:
Periodic inspections required
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
antigua and barbuda:
Displayed on vehicle
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Antigua and barbuda | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
antigua and barbuda:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
antigua and barbuda:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Antigua and barbuda | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties for DUI | Can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.00%
mexico:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%
mexico:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
antigua and barbuda:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial penalties for DUI
mexico:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Antigua and barbuda | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
mexico:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Antigua and barbuda | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary | 066 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' |
Contact: Traffic Police
antigua and barbuda:
911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary
mexico:
066 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
antigua and barbuda:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
Penalties And Fines
| Antigua and barbuda | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points | Varies; $40 to $200, 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 | Varies, up to $50, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points in some cases | Varies; can lead to significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid immediately | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; system improvements for online payments |
Common Fines: Speeding
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
mexico:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
antigua and barbuda:
$25 to $200, points in some cases
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
antigua and barbuda:
$50 to $300, points in some cases
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
antigua and barbuda:
$100 to $500, points on license
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
antigua and barbuda:
Yes; fines can be paid immediately
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
Payment: Deadline
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments