Driving in Bhutan vs Jamaica: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the unique driving cultures of Bhutan and Jamaica reveals intriguing contrasts in road regulations and safety practices. From speed limits and lane markings to the usage of horns and traffic signals, each country’s approach to vehicular navigation plays a crucial role in ensuring a secure travel experience. Discover the key distinctions to drive safely abroad!
Lanes
| Bhutan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Bridge crossings |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Marked with signs indicating bus lane |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Occasional with bicycle symbols |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bhutan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
bhutan:
Railroad crossings
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
jamaica:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
jamaica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
jamaica:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common for immediate traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
jamaica:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
jamaica:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
jamaica:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
Signals
| Bhutan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Not used in Jamaica |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Typically allowed in situations to avert danger |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged near hospitals and schools |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Rarely enforced |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To signal intentions, often a warning |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not widely restricted |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, especially if indicator lights fail |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Often triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bhutan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
Horn Usage: Allowed
bhutan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bhutan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
Horn Usage: Penalties
bhutan:
Fines may apply for misuse
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
Headlight Flash: Usage
bhutan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bhutan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
Hand Signals: Permitted
bhutan:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bhutan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
Turns
| Bhutan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed unless signs prohibit it |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
jamaica:
Prohibited
Left Turn: General
bhutan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Left Turn: At Intersections
bhutan:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
Documentation
| Bhutan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Not consistently used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
jamaica:
Not consistently used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To signal intentions or warnings |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Informally regulated |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Encouraged only to avert danger |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Moderate use; more common than in some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if safe |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Sirens and flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bhutan:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
Flashing Lights: Misuse
bhutan:
Discouraged, fines may apply
jamaica:
Informally regulated
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bhutan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
jamaica:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
bhutan:
Discouraged and may be penalized
jamaica:
Discouraged
Use Of Horn: Limited
bhutan:
Only in emergency situations
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
bhutan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
bhutan:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check for impairment warnings |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Occasionally conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Varies with severity and past offenses |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe breaches |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
jamaica:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bhutan:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
Zero Tolerance: Medications
bhutan:
Check if medication affects driving ability
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bhutan:
Possible for severe offenses
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
Test Refusal
bhutan:
Can result in license suspension
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if taking an immediate exit |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for immediate or second exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for other exits |
Priority: Entering
bhutan:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
Priority: Inside
bhutan:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
bhutan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
Signaling: Exiting
bhutan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
bhutan:
Use for first exit or straight
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
Lane Usage: Left
bhutan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
jamaica:
Use for other exits
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 119 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 119 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Depends on provider; often through insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
jamaica:
119 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
jamaica:
119
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Subject to fines and points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Must be paid promptly to avoid complications |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for unresolved fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
bhutan:
Same as residents; must be paid
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
bhutan:
Possible if fines are not paid
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines