Driving in the Bahamas vs. Monaco: Key Differences
When exploring the distinct driving regulations of the Bahamas and Monaco, travelers will encounter notable contrasts. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol regulations, these countries present unique road experiences. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey abroad, whether navigating the serene islands or the bustling streets of Monaco.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Allowed if traffic conditions permit. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | Limited, mostly on main roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Predominantly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled ‘BUS’. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with small vehicles or buses. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Standard speed limits apply |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
monaco:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahamas:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
monaco:
Allowed if traffic conditions permit.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
monaco:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
monaco:
Limited, mostly on main roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
monaco:
Predominantly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
monaco:
Labeled ‘BUS’.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
monaco:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
monaco:
Shared with small vehicles or buses.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
monaco:
Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | N/A |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | N/A |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | N/A |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Standard speed limits apply |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common for traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
monaco:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
monaco:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
monaco:
N/A
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
monaco:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
monaco:
Common for traffic violations
Signals
| Bahamas | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Rare in Monaco, usually not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| 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
monaco:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
monaco:
Rare in Monaco, usually not used
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
monaco:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
monaco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bahamas | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Permitted where indicated; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
monaco:
Permitted where indicated; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Required annually; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
| 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
monaco:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
monaco:
Required annually; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
monaco:
Displayed on the vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
monaco:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
monaco:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
monaco:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial; varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
monaco:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
monaco:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
monaco:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
monaco:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
monaco:
Can be substantial; varies by severity
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
monaco:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 112 or 18 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | Local police also available on 911 using GSM |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available through service providers or insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
monaco:
112 or 18
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
monaco:
Local police also available on 911 using GSM
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
monaco:
Available through service providers or insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
monaco:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
monaco:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; fines are substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Fine applies if not used |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Substantial fines issued |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | High fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Possible; varies |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically must be settled soon |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
monaco:
Varies; fines are substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
monaco:
Fine applies if not used
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
monaco:
Substantial fines issued
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
monaco:
High fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
monaco:
Possible; varies
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
monaco:
Varies; typically must be settled soon