Driving in the Bahamas vs. Norway: Key Differences Explained
When it comes to navigating the roads of the Bahamas and Norway, drivers must adapt to distinct regulations and practices. Key contrasts include driving on the left in the Bahamas versus the right in Norway, varying speed limits, and the presence of bus and cycle lanes. Understanding these nuances is essential for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
norway:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bahamas:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
norway:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
norway:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
norway:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahamas:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 30-50 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 | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
norway:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
norway:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
norway:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
norway:
80 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
norway:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bahamas:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Bahamas | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Norway |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
norway:
Not used in Norway
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
bahamas:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bahamas | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with a national driving license |
| 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 | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| 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
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
norway:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
norway:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Yes, typically required |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bahamas:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
norway:
Yes, typically required