Driving in the Bahamas vs. Uzbekistan: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of the Bahamas and Uzbekistan, drivers encounter notable contrasts in regulations and practices. While the Bahamas mandates left-side driving and emphasizes calm road etiquette, Uzbekistan adheres to right-side traffic with stringent overtaking rules. Understanding these disparities ensures a safer, more enjoyable journey in either destination.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
Driving Side
bahamas:
Left
uzbekistan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahamas:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bahamas:
Use leftmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
uzbekistan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
uzbekistan:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
uzbekistan:
km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bahamas:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Bahamas | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bahamas:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
bahamas:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bahamas:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bahamas | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bahamas:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bahamas | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bahamas:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bahamas:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bahamas:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
uzbekistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
Limits: General Drivers
bahamas:
0.08%
uzbekistan:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
uzbekistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bahamas:
0.00%; zero tolerance
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Roundabouts
| Bahamas | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bahamas:
Signal left when preparing to exit
uzbekistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 102 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
uzbekistan:
102
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
bahamas:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
bahamas:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines