Driving in Bolivia vs. Jamaica: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Bolivia and Jamaica, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experiences. From lane usage—where Bolivia drives on the right and Jamaica on the left—to varying speed limits and traffic signals, understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Equip yourself with essential knowledge before hitting the road!
Lanes
| Bolivia | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| 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 Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Bridge crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| 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 | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | 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 |
Driving Side
bolivia:
Right
jamaica:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bolivia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bolivia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Left
bolivia:
Yes
jamaica:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
bolivia:
Railroad crossings
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bolivia:
Use rightmost lane.
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
jamaica:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
Yes
jamaica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
jamaica:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Common for immediate traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
jamaica:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
jamaica:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
Signals
| Bolivia | 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 Bolivia | Not used in Jamaica |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only to avoid accidents | Typically allowed in situations to avert danger |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas | 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: Language | Spanish | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Often triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bolivia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
Horn Usage: Penalties
bolivia:
Fines may apply for misuse
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
Headlight Flash: Usage
bolivia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bolivia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
Hand Signals: Permitted
bolivia:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bolivia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
Turns
| Bolivia | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | 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 | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Allowed unless signs prohibit it |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
jamaica:
Prohibited
Left Turn: General
bolivia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Left Turn: At Intersections
bolivia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
Documentation
| Bolivia | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not consistently used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
jamaica:
Not consistently used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | 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 compared to some countries | 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 side 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
bolivia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
Flashing Lights: Misuse
bolivia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
jamaica:
Informally regulated
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bolivia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
jamaica:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
bolivia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
jamaica:
Discouraged
Use Of Horn: Limited
bolivia:
Only in emergency situations
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
bolivia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
bolivia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 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; checkpoints often used | Occasionally conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | 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: General Drivers
bolivia:
0.05%
jamaica:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bolivia:
0.00%
jamaica:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bolivia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
Zero Tolerance: Medications
bolivia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bolivia:
Possible for severe offenses
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
Test Refusal
bolivia:
Can result in license suspension
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bolivia | 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
bolivia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
Priority: Inside
bolivia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
bolivia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
Signaling: Exiting
bolivia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
bolivia:
Use for first exit or straight
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
Lane Usage: Left
bolivia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
jamaica:
Use for other exits
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 119 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Depends on provider; often through insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
jamaica:
119 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
jamaica:
119
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Subject to fines and points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Possible for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | 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
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
bolivia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
bolivia:
Same as residents; must be paid
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
bolivia:
Possible if fines are not paid
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines