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.

bahamasbarbados

LEFT

Driving Side

The driving side in bahamas is the Left Side of the road

Driving Safety Score

The driving Driving Safety Score in bahamas is 52

1.417 $

Gas Price in USD

The driving Driving Safety Score for bahamas is 1.417 US Dollars

While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.

Lanes

Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...

	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:

Speeds Limits

Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...

	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

Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...

	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

Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...

	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

Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...

	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

Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...

	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

Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...

	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

Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...

	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

Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...

	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

Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...

	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