Barbados vs Thailand: Driving Differences You Need to Know
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road conduct is essential for ensuring a secure journey. This comparison between Barbados and Thailand reveals significant contrasts, from speed limits and lane markings to alcohol regulations. Travelers must stay informed of these variations to navigate safely and confidently in unfamiliar territories.
Lanes
| Barbados | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Prohibited |
| 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 | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
thailand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
thailand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
thailand:
Prohibited
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
thailand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
thailand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
thailand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 50 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 | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| Barbados | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used in Thailand |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
barbados:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Barbados | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
thailand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Barbados | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Barbados | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
thailand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
thailand:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
barbados:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
thailand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days