Driving in Bahamas vs. Lebanon: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the unique roadways of the Bahamas and Lebanon, drivers must navigate notable distinctions in regulations and practices. From the left-side driving in the Bahamas to the right-side rules in Lebanon, understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Stay informed to enhance your travel experience and safety on the road.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as a separation line in some areas. |
| 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 |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
lebanon:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahamas:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
lebanon:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
lebanon:
No
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
lebanon:
80 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
lebanon:
km/h
Signals
| Bahamas | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Lebanon |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bahamas:
Signal when exiting
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahamas:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Bahamas | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bahamas | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
lebanon:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahamas:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common through checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial for violations |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
lebanon:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when preparing to enter |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
bahamas:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
lebanon:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
lebanon:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
lebanon:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
lebanon:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Fines and potential incarceration |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
| 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 | Possible; often paid at stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahamas:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
lebanon:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days