Driving in Barbados vs. Turkey: Key Safety Differences
Discover the distinct road regulations and practices of Barbados and Turkey in our comprehensive comparison. Key differences include driving on the left in Barbados versus the right in Turkey, contrasting speed limits, and unique traffic signage. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey while navigating these diverse environments.
Lanes
| Barbados | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if 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 with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
barbados:
Left
turkey:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
turkey:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
turkey:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
barbados:
Use leftmost lane.
turkey:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
turkey:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
turkey:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
turkey:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
barbados:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 120 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
barbados:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Barbados | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
barbados:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
barbados:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Barbados | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Barbados | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Usually not required for non-residents | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| 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
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Barbados | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
turkey:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
turkey:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
barbados:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
turkey:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
turkey:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
turkey:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges