Driving in Barbados vs. Iceland: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Barbados and Iceland, understanding their unique traffic regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on the left in Barbados versus the right in Iceland, the presence of bus and cycle lanes, and varied speed limits. Familiarize yourself with these critical driving contrasts to ensure your travels are both enjoyable and secure.
Lanes
| Barbados | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; 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: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
barbados:
Left
iceland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
iceland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
iceland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
barbados:
List length: 5
iceland:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
barbados:
Use leftmost lane.
iceland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
iceland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
iceland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
iceland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
iceland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 80 km/h on gravel roads |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 90 km/h on paved roads |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 80 km/h on paved roads |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
iceland:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
iceland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
iceland:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
iceland:
Yes
Signals
| Barbados | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | N/A |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | N/A |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Icelandic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
iceland:
N/A
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
barbados:
Signal when exiting
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
barbados:
Fines may apply for misuse
iceland:
N/A
Hand Signals: Common Usage
barbados:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
barbados:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Barbados | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
iceland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Barbados | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Usually not required for non-residents | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
iceland:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
iceland:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Barbados | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| 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 |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
iceland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
iceland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
iceland:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Test Refusal
barbados:
Can result in license suspension
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal 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
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
barbados:
Signal left when preparing to exit
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
iceland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact local towing services or insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
iceland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
iceland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame