Driving in Barbados vs. Paraguay: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the fascinating contrast between driving in Barbados and Paraguay, travelers must be aware of key variations in road regulations and safety practices. From differing speed limits and lane usage to unique protocols for pedestrians and emergency vehicles, understanding these distinctions is vital for a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Barbados | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Rarely, usually prohibited. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, mainly in urban areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited, mainly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
barbados:
Left
paraguay:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
paraguay:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
paraguay:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
paraguay:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
barbados:
Use leftmost lane.
paraguay:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
paraguay:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
paraguay:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
paraguay:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 40 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 | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
paraguay:
40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
paraguay:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
paraguay:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
paraguay:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
paraguay:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
paraguay:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
paraguay:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
paraguay:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
paraguay:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
barbados:
Yes
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
paraguay:
Common
Signals
| Barbados | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used in Paraguay |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; standard symbols used as well |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
Traffic Signs: Warning
barbados:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Barbados | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Barbados | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
paraguay:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | More frequent than in 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 | Pull over to allow passage |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
barbados:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
Alcohol
| Barbados | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; police checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
paraguay:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
paraguay:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
paraguay:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Exiting
barbados:
Signal left when preparing to exit
paraguay:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
paraguay:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | 911 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
paraguay:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
paraguay:
911
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
paraguay:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
paraguay:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Substantial fines and penalties |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; usually within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
paraguay:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days