Driving in Antigua and Barbuda vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
Explore the driving nuances between Antigua and Barbuda and the United Kingdom, two diverse regions with distinct road regulations. Key variations include speed limits, lane markings, and overtaking rules, which are crucial for ensuring safe travel abroad. Understanding these contrasts helps travelers navigate with confidence and awareness.
Lanes
| Antigua and barbuda | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Overtaking is done on the right. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid White Line
antigua and barbuda:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
antigua and barbuda:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
antigua and barbuda:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
antigua and barbuda:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Left
antigua and barbuda:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
antigua and barbuda:
Overtaking is done on the right.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
antigua and barbuda:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Bus Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
No exclusive bus lanes; regular traffic lanes used by buses.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
antigua and barbuda:
Bicycles share the road with motor vehicles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Antigua and barbuda | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-30 mph | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 mph | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-50 mph | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-50 mph | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-50 mph | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-55 mph | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 50-55 mph | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 50-55 mph | 60 mph |
| 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
antigua and barbuda:
20-30 mph
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
antigua and barbuda:
20 mph
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
40-50 mph
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
antigua and barbuda:
50-55 mph
united kingdom:
60 mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
antigua and barbuda:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
antigua and barbuda:
Limited
united kingdom:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Antigua and barbuda | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border and white background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
antigua and barbuda:
Not used
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
antigua and barbuda:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
antigua and barbuda:
N/A
united kingdom:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Warning
antigua and barbuda:
Triangular-shaped with red border and white background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Antigua and barbuda | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signed otherwise | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
antigua and barbuda:
Prohibited
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
antigua and barbuda:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
antigua and barbuda:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
antigua and barbuda:
Permitted unless signed otherwise
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Antigua and barbuda | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | Not displayed; records are electronic |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
antigua and barbuda:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
antigua and barbuda:
Periodic inspections required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
antigua and barbuda:
Displayed on vehicle
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Road Etiquette
| Antigua and barbuda | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
antigua and barbuda:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Antigua and barbuda | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties for DUI | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: Professional Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
antigua and barbuda:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
antigua and barbuda:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial penalties for DUI
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Antigua and barbuda | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
antigua and barbuda:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Signaling: Exiting
antigua and barbuda:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united kingdom:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
antigua and barbuda:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Antigua and barbuda | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
Contact: General Emergency
antigua and barbuda:
911
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
antigua and barbuda:
911 for emergencies; local numbers may vary
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
antigua and barbuda:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Penalties And Fines
| Antigua and barbuda | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| 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 | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points in some cases | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be paid immediately | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; $50 to $500, possible license points
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
antigua and barbuda:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
antigua and barbuda:
$25 to $200, points in some cases
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
antigua and barbuda:
$50 to $300, points in some cases
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
antigua and barbuda:
$100 to $500, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
antigua and barbuda:
Yes; fines can be paid immediately
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
antigua and barbuda:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay