Driving in the Bahamas vs. Indonesia: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of the Bahamas and Indonesia, understanding their unique driving regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include overtaking rules, speed limits, and the presence of bus and cycle lanes. With varied enforcement of alcohol limits and emergency contact numbers, these insights are crucial for any traveler seeking peace of mind on foreign highways.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with specific signage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Left
bahamas:
Yes
indonesia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
indonesia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
indonesia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
indonesia:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 100 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
indonesia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
indonesia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
indonesia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
indonesia:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
indonesia:
80 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
indonesia:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
indonesia:
Common
Signals
| Bahamas | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Indonesia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Indonesian; 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
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bahamas | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Forbidden unless a sign permits it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Yes, periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Evidence of inspection may be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
indonesia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Give way and make room |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahamas:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
indonesia:
Give way and make room
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by region; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
indonesia:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
indonesia:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
indonesia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 112 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | Check local emergency numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory in case of breakdown |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended for safety |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
indonesia:
112 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; subject to local laws |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Subject to local laws, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Fines apply, enforced rigorously |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days