Driving in Belize vs. Trinidad and Tobago: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Belize and Trinidad and Tobago, significant variations in traffic rules and safety regulations come into play. From driving on opposite sides to distinct speed limits and enforcement practices, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Explore the key distinctions to enhance your driving experience in these vibrant Caribbean nations.
Lanes
| Belize | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, when safe and permitted. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| 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 |
Driving Side
belize:
Right
trinidad and tobago:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belize:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
trinidad and tobago:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
belize:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
No
Overtaking: On Right
belize:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, when safe and permitted.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
belize:
Use rightmost lane.
trinidad and tobago:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
trinidad and tobago:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belize:
No
trinidad and tobago:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belize:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belize:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belize:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Belize | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-55 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-55 mph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-55 mph | 65 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-65 mph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 55-65 mph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 55-65 mph | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines are usually collected immediately | Common, officers may issue fines directly |
Urban Areas: Standard
belize:
25 mph
trinidad and tobago:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belize:
25 mph
trinidad and tobago:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
40-55 mph
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belize:
40-55 mph
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
40-55 mph
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belize:
55-65 mph
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belize:
55-65 mph
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belize:
55-65 mph
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Speed Units
belize:
mph
trinidad and tobago:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belize:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
belize:
No
trinidad and tobago:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belize:
Yes, fines are usually collected immediately
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
Signals
| Belize | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Belize | 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
belize:
Not used in Belize
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
belize:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Headlight Flash: Usage
belize:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
trinidad and tobago:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Turns
| Belize | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
belize:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
trinidad and tobago:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
belize:
Varies by locality; check for signs
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Belize | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annually; proof may be required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Insurance
belize:
Liability insurance mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belize:
Mandatory annually; proof may be required
trinidad and tobago:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belize:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Belize | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use to communicate in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
belize:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
trinidad and tobago:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belize:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
belize:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
trinidad and tobago:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Belize | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used occasionally | Common |
Limits: Underage Drivers
belize:
Zero tolerance
trinidad and tobago:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
belize:
Less common; checkpoints used occasionally
trinidad and tobago:
Common
Emergency Services
| Belize | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 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
belize:
911
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
belize:
911
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belize:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belize:
Not mandatory, but recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Belize | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; BZD$100 to $500 | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for non-compliance | TT$ 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free | TT$ 1,500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; significant fines | TT$ 2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, fines are often collected immediately | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
belize:
Varies; BZD$100 to $500
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belize:
Fines for non-compliance
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
belize:
Fines for use without hands-free
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belize:
Varies; significant fines
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
belize:
Yes, fines are often collected immediately
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
Payment: Deadline
belize:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days