Driving in Cambodia vs. Jamaica: Key Safety Differences
When traveling through the diverse landscapes of Cambodia and Jamaica, understanding the nuances of their driving regulations is crucial for a secure journey. Key distinctions include driving on the right in Cambodia versus the left in Jamaica, varying speed limits, and unique overtaking rules, all of which shape the road experience in these vibrant nations.
Lanes
| Cambodia | 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
cambodia:
Right
jamaica:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cambodia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cambodia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Left
cambodia:
Yes
jamaica:
No
Overtaking: On Right
cambodia:
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]
cambodia:
Railroad crossings
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cambodia:
Use rightmost lane.
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cambodia:
No
jamaica:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
cambodia:
N/A
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
Bus Lanes: Markings
cambodia:
N/A
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cambodia:
Yes
jamaica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cambodia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cambodia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cambodia:
N/A
jamaica:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
Speeds Limits
| Cambodia | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 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
cambodia:
30-40 km/h
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cambodia:
90 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cambodia:
90 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cambodia:
Yes
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
Signals
| Cambodia | 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 | N/A | 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 | Khmer and English; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Often triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
cambodia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cambodia:
N/A
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
Horn Usage: Allowed
cambodia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
cambodia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
Horn Usage: Penalties
cambodia:
Fines may apply for misuse
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
Headlight Flash: Usage
cambodia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
cambodia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
Hand Signals: Permitted
cambodia:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
Hand Signals: Common Usage
cambodia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
Traffic Signs: Language
cambodia:
Khmer and English; symbols are standard
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cambodia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
Turns
| Cambodia | 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 | Varies, check for signs | Allowed unless signs prohibit it |
Right Turn On Red
cambodia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
jamaica:
Prohibited
Left Turn: General
cambodia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Left Turn: At Intersections
cambodia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
U- Turns Allowed
cambodia:
Varies, check for signs
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
Documentation
| Cambodia | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof may be required | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Not consistently used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cambodia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cambodia:
Displayed on the vehicle
jamaica:
Not consistently used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Recommended but not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cambodia:
Not mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Cambodia | 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 as means of communication | 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
cambodia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
Flashing Lights: Misuse
cambodia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
jamaica:
Informally regulated
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
cambodia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
jamaica:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
cambodia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
jamaica:
Discouraged
Use Of Horn: Limited
cambodia:
Only in emergency situations
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cambodia:
Frequent use as means of communication
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
cambodia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cambodia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
cambodia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
Alcohol
| Cambodia | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers | 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 | Occasionally conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Strict and 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
cambodia:
0.05%
jamaica:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cambodia:
0.00%
jamaica:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cambodia:
0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
cambodia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
Zero Tolerance: Medications
cambodia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
Enforcement: Random Checks
cambodia:
Common; checkpoints used
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
Enforcement: Fines
cambodia:
Strict and substantial
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
cambodia:
Possible for severe offenses
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
Test Refusal
cambodia:
Can result in license suspension
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Cambodia | 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
cambodia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
Priority: Inside
cambodia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
cambodia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
Signaling: Exiting
cambodia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
cambodia:
Use for first exit or straight
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
Lane Usage: Left
cambodia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
jamaica:
Use for other exits
Emergency Services
| Cambodia | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 119 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | 119 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Depends on provider; often through insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
cambodia:
119
jamaica:
119 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
cambodia:
117
jamaica:
119
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cambodia:
Check with your insurance provider
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
jamaica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Cambodia | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines are substantial | 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 | Varies; penalties applied | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; penalties applied | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | Subject to fines and points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, on the spot payment | Possible for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified period | 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
cambodia:
Varies; fines are substantial
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
Payment: On The Spot
cambodia:
Yes, on the spot payment
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
cambodia:
Varies; typically within a specified period
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
cambodia:
Same as residents; must be paid
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
cambodia:
Possible if fines are not paid
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines