Driving in the Bahamas vs. Barbados: Key Differences
When comparing the driving environments of the Bahamas and Barbados, distinct variations emerge that impact road safety and navigation. Key differences include speed regulations, lane markings, and alcohol limits. Understanding these nuances can significantly enhance your driving experience and ensure your safety while exploring these beautiful islands.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in Barbados. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used in Barbados. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | No |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahamas:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
Overtaking: On Left
bahamas:
Yes
barbados:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
barbados:
No
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 20-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Possible in some cases |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
barbados:
20-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
barbados:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
barbados:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
barbados:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
barbados:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
barbados:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
barbados:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
barbados:
80 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
barbados:
km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
barbados:
Possible in some cases
Signals
| Bahamas | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Barbados |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
Turns
| Bahamas | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed, follow traffic signals |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Documentation
| Bahamas | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Usually not required for non-residents |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | N/A for non-resident vehicles |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahamas:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Less common; checkpoints can be used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines for offenses |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
barbados:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe |
Lane Usage: Left
bahamas:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 211 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 211 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
barbados:
211 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
barbados:
211
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Barbados | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Fines for not wearing seatbelts |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Possible in some cases |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahamas:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
barbados:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
barbados:
Possible in some cases
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay