Driving in The Bahamas vs. Libya: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of the Bahamas and Libya, drivers encounter distinct protocols and regulations. Key differences include driving on the left in the Bahamas versus the right in Libya, and varying speed limits and alcohol tolerance levels. Understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Not commonly designated. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Not commonly designated. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Generally not used. |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
libya:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahamas:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
libya:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
libya:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
libya:
Not commonly designated.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
libya:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
libya:
Not commonly designated.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
libya:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
libya:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
libya:
Generally not used.
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 80 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Generally not used. |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
libya:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
libya:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
libya:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
libya:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
libya:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
libya:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
libya:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
libya:
80 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
libya:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
libya:
Generally not used.
Signals
| Bahamas | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Libya |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Arabic |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bahamas:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
libya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
libya:
Not used in Libya
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
libya:
Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
libya:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bahamas | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Generally not allowed unless specified |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| 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 | Required for registration and periodically thereafter |
| 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
libya:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
libya:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
libya:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
libya:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| 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 | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
libya:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
libya:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
libya:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
libya:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 193 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | Varies by area |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
libya:
193
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
libya:
Varies by area
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
libya:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
libya:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Libya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; fines based on severity |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Fines may apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
libya:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
libya:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
libya:
Fines may apply
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
libya:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days