Driving in Argentina vs Jamaica: Key Differences Explained
When comparing the road rules and regulations of Argentina and Jamaica, distinct contrasts emerge that can impact driving experiences. Argentina adheres to right-hand driving, while Jamaica drives on the left. Speed limits, lane usage, and signaling protocols further illustrate the unique approaches each nation adopts for enhancing roadway safety. Understanding these variations is crucial for travelers navigating foreign roads.
Lanes
| Argentina | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| 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 Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Bridge crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | Marked with signs indicating bus lane |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | 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 |
Driving Side
argentina:
Right
jamaica:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
argentina:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
argentina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Left
argentina:
Yes
jamaica:
No
Overtaking: On Right
argentina:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
argentina:
Railroad crossings
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
argentina:
Use rightmost lane.
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
argentina:
Yes
jamaica:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
Cycle Lanes: Presence
argentina:
Yes
jamaica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Exclusive for bicycles.
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
Cycle Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
argentina:
N/A
jamaica:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common for immediate traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
jamaica:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80 km/h
jamaica:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
Signals
| Argentina | 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 in Argentina | 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 | Fines may apply for misuse | 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: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Often triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
argentina:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
Horn Usage: Allowed
argentina:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
argentina:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
Horn Usage: Penalties
argentina:
Fines may apply for misuse
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
Headlight Flash: Usage
argentina:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
argentina:
Not to be used to signal other messages
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
Hand Signals: Permitted
argentina:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
Hand Signals: Common Usage
argentina:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
Traffic Signs: Language
argentina:
Spanish; symbols are standard
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
argentina:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
Turns
| Argentina | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited |
| 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 | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless signs prohibit it |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
jamaica:
Prohibited
Left Turn: General
argentina:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Left Turn: At Intersections
argentina:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
U- Turns Allowed
argentina:
Varies by locality; check for signs
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
Documentation
| Argentina | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not consistently used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
argentina:
Displayed on windshield
jamaica:
Not consistently used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
argentina:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | 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 | Frequent use in some areas | 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 right 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
argentina:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
Flashing Lights: Misuse
argentina:
Discouraged, fines may apply
jamaica:
Informally regulated
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
argentina:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
jamaica:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
argentina:
Discouraged and may be penalized
jamaica:
Discouraged
Use Of Horn: Limited
argentina:
Only in emergency situations
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
argentina:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
argentina:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
argentina:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
Alcohol
| Argentina | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 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 | Occasionally conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | 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: General Drivers
argentina:
0.05%
jamaica:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
jamaica:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
argentina:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
Zero Tolerance: Medications
argentina:
Check if medication affects driving ability
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
Enforcement: Fines
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
argentina:
Possible for severe offenses
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
Test Refusal
argentina:
Can result in license suspension
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Argentina | 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 |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to 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
argentina:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
Priority: Inside
argentina:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
argentina:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
Signaling: Exiting
argentina:
Signal right when preparing to exit
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
argentina:
Use for first exit or straight
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
Lane Usage: Left
argentina:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
jamaica:
Use for other exits
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 119 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | Depends on provider; often through insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
jamaica:
119 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
jamaica:
119
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
argentina:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Subject to fines and points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | 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
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
argentina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
argentina:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
argentina:
Same as residents; must be paid
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
argentina:
Possible if fines are not paid
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines