Driving in Barbados vs. Romania: Key Differences Explained
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial. This comparison between Barbados and Romania reveals significant contrasts in driving practices, from lane usage and speed limits to alcohol regulations. Familiarizing yourself with these essential distinctions can enhance your safety and confidence on the roads of each destination.
Lanes
| Barbados | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited, mainly in urban areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Driving Side
barbados:
Left
romania:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
romania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
romania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
romania:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
barbados:
Use leftmost lane.
romania:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
romania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
romania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
romania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
romania:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 130 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 | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
romania:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
romania:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
romania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
romania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Barbados | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used in Romania |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
barbados:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
barbados:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Barbados | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
romania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| Barbados | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Usually not required for non-residents | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on the 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
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
romania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory
romania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | Moderate use expected |
| 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
romania:
Moderate use expected
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
romania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Barbados | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| 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 | Considerable fines for offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
romania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
romania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
romania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
romania:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
romania:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
barbados:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist