Driving in Barbados vs. Jamaica: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Barbados and Jamaica, it's essential to understand their unique driving practices. From speed limits to lane usage, both nations exhibit distinct regulations. For instance, while Barbados permits overtaking on the left, Jamaica adopts a more cautious approach. Equip yourself with this vital knowledge to ensure a safe journey in these vibrant Caribbean destinations.
Lanes
| Barbados | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Bridge crossings |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Marked with signs indicating bus lane |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Occasional with bicycle symbols |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
jamaica:
No
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
barbados:
Railroad crossings
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
jamaica:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
Cycle Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
jamaica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
jamaica:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Common for immediate traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
jamaica:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
jamaica:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
Signals
| Barbados | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used in Jamaica |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Typically allowed in situations to avert danger |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged near hospitals and schools |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Rarely enforced |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To signal intentions, often a warning |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not widely restricted |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, especially if indicator lights fail |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Often triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
barbados:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
Horn Usage: Allowed
barbados:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
barbados:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
Horn Usage: Penalties
barbados:
Fines may apply for misuse
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
Headlight Flash: Usage
barbados:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
barbados:
Not to be used to signal other messages
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
Hand Signals: Permitted
barbados:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
Hand Signals: Common Usage
barbados:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
Traffic Signs: Warning
barbados:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
Turns
| Barbados | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Prohibited |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed unless signs prohibit it |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
jamaica:
Prohibited
Left Turn: General
barbados:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Left Turn: At Intersections
barbados:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
Documentation
| Barbados | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Usually not required for non-residents | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Not consistently used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
jamaica:
Not consistently used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To signal intentions or warnings |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Informally regulated |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Encouraged only to avert danger |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | Moderate use; more common than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if safe |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Sirens and flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
barbados:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
Flashing Lights: Misuse
barbados:
Discouraged, fines may apply
jamaica:
Informally regulated
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
barbados:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
jamaica:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
barbados:
Discouraged and may be penalized
jamaica:
Discouraged
Use Of Horn: Limited
barbados:
Only in emergency situations
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
barbados:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
barbados:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
Alcohol
| Barbados | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check for impairment warnings |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Occasionally conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Varies with severity and past offenses |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe breaches |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
jamaica:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
barbados:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
Zero Tolerance: Medications
barbados:
Check if medication affects driving ability
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
barbados:
Possible for severe offenses
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
Test Refusal
barbados:
Can result in license suspension
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if taking an immediate exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for immediate or second exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe | Use for other exits |
Priority: Entering
barbados:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
Priority: Inside
barbados:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
barbados:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
Lane Usage: Right
barbados:
Use for first exit or straight
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
jamaica:
Use for other exits
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 119 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | 119 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Depends on provider; often through insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
jamaica:
119 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
jamaica:
119
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jamaica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Subject to fines and points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Possible for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Must be paid promptly to avoid complications |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for unresolved fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
barbados:
Same as residents; must be paid
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
barbados:
Possible if fines are not paid
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines