Driving Differences: Bahamas vs Guatemala Explained
When traveling between the Bahamas and Guatemala, understanding the distinct driving regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure experience. Key disparities include driving on the left in the Bahamas versus the right in Guatemala, as well as differences in speed limits and emergency protocols. Familiarizing yourself with these variances is essential for a smooth journey.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with vehicles in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Varies by location. |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
guatemala:
Right
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
guatemala:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
guatemala:
No
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
guatemala:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
guatemala:
Varies by location.
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
guatemala:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
guatemala:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
guatemala:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
guatemala:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
guatemala:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
guatemala:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
guatemala:
80 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
guatemala:
km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bahamas:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Bahamas | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Guatemala |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bahamas | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Varies, check local signs for permission |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
Documentation
| Bahamas | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| 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
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
guatemala:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
guatemala:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahamas:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
guatemala:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by locality; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
guatemala:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
guatemala:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
guatemala:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
guatemala:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 122 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 110 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
guatemala:
122
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
guatemala:
110
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
guatemala:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
guatemala:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; check with local authorities |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
guatemala:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
guatemala:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities