Driving in Barbados vs. New Zealand: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Barbados and New Zealand, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol consumption guidelines. Understanding these nuances not only enhances your awareness but also ensures a safer journey in both captivating destinations.
Lanes
| Barbados | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Marks the right 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 right. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| 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 green pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
new zealand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
new zealand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
barbados:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 50 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 | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
barbados:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Barbados | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used in New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
barbados:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Turns
| Barbados | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Barbados | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
barbados:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Barbados | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
new zealand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
new zealand:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
barbados:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Barbados | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if making an immediate left turn 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
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
barbados:
Signal left when preparing to exit
new zealand:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
new zealand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay