Driving Differences: Brazil vs. Jamaica Explained
Discover the intriguing contrasts between Brazil and Jamaica when it comes to roadway regulations, speed limits, and traffic signals. While Brazil drives on the right side, Jamaica opts for the left, significantly impacting road etiquette. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure experience behind the wheel in either nation.
Lanes
| Brazil | 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 Right | Yes | 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 | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. | 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
brazil:
Right
jamaica:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brazil:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
brazil:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Right
brazil:
Yes
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
brazil:
Railroad crossings
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brazil:
Use rightmost lane.
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
jamaica:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
Bus Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brazil:
Yes
jamaica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brazil:
Exclusive for bicycles.
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brazil:
N/A
jamaica:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
Speeds Limits
| Brazil | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Fixed speed limits via signs |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common for immediate traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
brazil:
40-60 km/h
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
60-100 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brazil:
60-90 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
60-90 km/h
jamaica:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brazil:
80-120 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brazil:
80-100 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brazil:
80-100 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brazil:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brazil:
Yes
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
Signals
| Brazil | 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 Brazil | 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: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Often triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
brazil:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
Horn Usage: Allowed
brazil:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brazil:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
Horn Usage: Penalties
brazil:
Fines may apply for misuse
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
Headlight Flash: Usage
brazil:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
brazil:
Not to be used to signal other messages
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
Hand Signals: Permitted
brazil:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
Hand Signals: Common Usage
brazil:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
Traffic Signs: Language
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
Turns
| Brazil | 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 | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it | Allowed unless signs prohibit it |
Right Turn On Red
brazil:
Not allowed
jamaica:
Prohibited
Left Turn: General
brazil:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Left Turn: At Intersections
brazil:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
U- Turns Allowed
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
Documentation
| Brazil | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year for passenger vehicles | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield or license plate | Not consistently used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
jamaica:
Not consistently used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Brazil | 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 | Less 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 right 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
brazil:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
Flashing Lights: Misuse
brazil:
Discouraged, fines may apply
jamaica:
Informally regulated
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
brazil:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
jamaica:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
brazil:
Discouraged and may be penalized
jamaica:
Discouraged
Use Of Horn: Limited
brazil:
Only in emergency situations
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
brazil:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brazil:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
brazil:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
Alcohol
| Brazil | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy | 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 used frequently | Occasionally conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy | Varies with severity and past offenses |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe breaches |
| Test Refusal | Results in immediate license suspension | Can result in fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brazil:
0.04%
jamaica:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brazil:
0.00%
jamaica:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
brazil:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
Zero Tolerance: Medications
brazil:
Check if medication affects driving ability
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
Enforcement: Random Checks
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
Enforcement: Fines
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
brazil:
Possible for severe offenses
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
Test Refusal
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Brazil | 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
brazil:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
Priority: Inside
brazil:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
brazil:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
Signaling: Exiting
brazil:
Signal right when preparing to exit
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
brazil:
Use for first exit or straight
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
Lane Usage: Left
brazil:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
jamaica:
Use for other exits
Emergency Services
| Brazil | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 190 | 119 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 191 | 119 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services | Depends on provider; often through insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, especially at night | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brazil:
190
jamaica:
119 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
brazil:
191
jamaica:
119
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brazil:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
jamaica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brazil | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | High fines with potential imprisonment | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for all unrestrained passengers | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | 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 | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available | Possible for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; generally 30 days to pay | 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
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
brazil:
Fines and points on license
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
Payment: On The Spot
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
brazil:
Same as residents; must be paid
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
brazil:
Possible if fines are not paid
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines