Driving in Barbados vs. South Africa: Key Differences
When traveling to Barbados or South Africa, understanding the nuances of road rules is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and regulations concerning public transport. While Barbados emphasizes lower urban speeds, South Africa's regulations reflect a higher tolerance. Equip yourself with this knowledge to navigate these diverse terrains confidently.
Lanes
| Barbados | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 40 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 | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Barbados | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Warning
barbados:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Barbados | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Barbados | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Usually not required for non-residents | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
south africa:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Barbados | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
barbados:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Barbados | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
south africa:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay