Driving Differences: Barbados vs. Chile Explained
When comparing the driving environments of Barbados and Chile, significant distinctions emerge that can impact road safety for travelers. While Barbados adheres to left-side driving, Chile drives on the right. Speed limits, lane usage, and regulations surrounding alcohol consumption further illustrate their unique road cultures, emphasizing the importance of understanding these variances for secure journeys abroad.
Lanes
| Barbados | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | Prohibited unless 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 | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
barbados:
Left
chile:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
chile:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
barbados:
Use leftmost lane.
chile:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
chile:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
chile:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
chile:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
chile:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
chile:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
chile:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
chile:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
chile:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
chile:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
Signals
| Barbados | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used in Chile |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
chile:
Not used in Chile
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
barbados:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
barbados:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
Turns
| Barbados | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Barbados | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Usually not required for non-residents | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
chile:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
chile:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
chile:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory
chile:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
chile:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
chile:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Barbados | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
chile:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
chile:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
barbados:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
barbados:
Signal left when preparing to exit
chile:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
chile:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 133 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | 133 or 139 on mobile phones |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
chile:
133
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
chile:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
chile:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Fines for use without hands-free technology |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Significant fines, includes license suspension |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay