Driving in the Bahamas vs. Belgium: Key Differences
When exploring the distinct road regulations and practices in the Bahamas and Belgium, drivers will encounter notable contrasts. From driving on the left in the Bahamas to the right in Belgium, as well as varying speed limits and traffic sign languages, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either destination.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
belgium:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahamas:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
belgium:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
belgium:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
belgium:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
belgium:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
belgium:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahamas:
No
belgium:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 60-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | No; fines are mailed to the driver |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
belgium:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
belgium:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
belgium:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
belgium:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
belgium:
60-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
belgium:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
belgium:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
belgium:
90 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
belgium:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahamas:
No
belgium:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
Signals
| Bahamas | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Yes; indicates impending green light |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
Turns
| Bahamas | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed unless specific signage permits |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; national driving license sufficient |
| 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 | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
belgium:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
belgium:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
belgium:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; conducted by police |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by severity of offense |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
belgium:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
belgium:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
belgium:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 101 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
belgium:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
belgium:
101
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
belgium:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
belgium:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Belgium | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Fine of around 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Fines; points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | No; fines usually mailed to the driver |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay