Driving in Barbados vs Vanuatu: Key Differences Explained
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road rules is crucial for a safe journey. This comparison delves into the driving regulations of Barbados and Vanuatu, showcasing key distinctions such as driving sides, speed limits, and alcohol thresholds. Equip yourself with this essential knowledge to navigate these unique driving environments confidently.
Lanes
| Barbados | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Usage | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Driving Side
barbados:
Left
vanuatu:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
vanuatu:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
barbados:
Use leftmost lane.
vanuatu:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
barbados:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Barbados | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used in Vanuatu |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Turns
| Barbados | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Barbados | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
barbados:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull 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
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Barbados | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
barbados:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
vanuatu:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
vanuatu:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
vanuatu:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay