Driving in Barbados vs. Trinidad and Tobago: Key Differences
Explore the intriguing contrasts between driving in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. From speed limits and lane markings to regulations on overtaking and bus lanes, understanding these variations is crucial for a safe journey. Dive into the essential distinctions that ensure your driving experience abroad remains secure and enjoyable.
Lanes
| Barbados | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | Yes, when safe and permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Marked with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| 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.
trinidad and tobago:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
trinidad and tobago:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
trinidad and tobago:
No
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, when safe and permitted.
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
trinidad and tobago:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
trinidad and tobago:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 30-50 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 | 65 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Common, officers may issue fines directly |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
Signals
| Barbados | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used in Trinidad and Tobago |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
barbados:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Headlight Flash: Usage
barbados:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
trinidad and tobago:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Turns
| Barbados | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
trinidad and tobago:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Barbados | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Usually not required for non-residents | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
barbados:
Liability insurance mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
trinidad and tobago:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | Frequent use to communicate in traffic |
Flashing Lights: Usage
barbados:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
trinidad and tobago:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
Alcohol
| Barbados | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| 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 |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
trinidad and tobago:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
trinidad and tobago:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
trinidad and tobago:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
trinidad and tobago:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
trinidad and tobago:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | 999 or use local police numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, 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 | TT$ 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | TT$ 1,500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | TT$ 2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days