Driving in the Bahamas vs. Jordan: Key Differences
When traversing the roads of the Bahamas and Jordan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experience. Key distinctions include driving on the left in the Bahamas versus the right in Jordan, varied speed limits, and unique approaches to emergency protocols. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring safe journeys abroad.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the edge of the roadway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | No specific bus lanes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Buses share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited; primarily in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with vehicular traffic. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Cycle symbols where applicable. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
jordan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
jordan:
Marks the edge of the roadway.
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
jordan:
Allowed only on multi-lane urban roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
jordan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
jordan:
No specific bus lanes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
jordan:
Buses share lanes with other vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
jordan:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
jordan:
Limited; primarily in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
jordan:
Shared with vehicular traffic.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
jordan:
Cycle symbols where applicable.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
jordan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
jordan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; common. |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
jordan:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
jordan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
jordan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
jordan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
jordan:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
jordan:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
jordan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
jordan:
Yes; common.
Signals
| Bahamas | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not typically used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | To avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
jordan:
Not typically used
Horn Usage: Allowed
bahamas:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jordan:
To avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahamas:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jordan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
jordan:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bahamas | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
jordan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bahamas | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
jordan:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
jordan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
jordan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
jordan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
jordan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use is common |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahamas:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
jordan:
Moderate use is common
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
jordan:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
jordan:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
jordan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
jordan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
jordan:
Common at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
jordan:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
jordan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
jordan:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
jordan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jordan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jordan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Jordan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Yes, occasionally |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
jordan:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
jordan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
jordan:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
jordan:
Yes, occasionally
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
jordan:
Typically 30 days to pay