Colombia vs Jamaica: Key Driving Differences Explained
When venturing out on the roads of Colombia or Jamaica, understanding the distinct regulations is crucial for a secure journey. Notably, Colombia drives on the right, while Jamaica adheres to the left. With variations in speed limits, lane usage, and traffic sign protocols, this comparison sheds light on essential practices for navigating each country safely and confidently.
Lanes
| Colombia | 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 | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings |
Driving Side
colombia:
Right
jamaica:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
colombia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Left
colombia:
Yes
jamaica:
No
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
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]
colombia:
Railroad crossings
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
colombia:
Use rightmost lane.
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
jamaica:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
jamaica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Fixed speed limits via signs |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Common for immediate traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
jamaica:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
Signals
| Colombia | 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 Colombia | 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 | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Often triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
colombia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
Horn Usage: Allowed
colombia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
colombia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
Horn Usage: Penalties
colombia:
Fines may apply for misuse
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
Headlight Flash: Usage
colombia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
colombia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
Hand Signals: Permitted
colombia:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
Hand Signals: Common Usage
colombia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
Turns
| Colombia | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | 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 | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless signs prohibit it |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
jamaica:
Prohibited
Left Turn: General
colombia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Left Turn: At Intersections
colombia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
Documentation
| Colombia | 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 inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on 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
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
jamaica:
Not consistently used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | 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 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
colombia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
Flashing Lights: Misuse
colombia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
jamaica:
Informally regulated
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
colombia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
jamaica:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
colombia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
jamaica:
Discouraged
Use Of Horn: Limited
colombia:
Only in emergency situations
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
colombia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
colombia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
Alcohol
| Colombia | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 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 in many areas | 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 and fines | Can result in fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
jamaica:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
jamaica:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
colombia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
Zero Tolerance: Medications
colombia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
colombia:
Possible for severe offenses
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Colombia | 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
colombia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
Priority: Inside
colombia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
colombia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
Signaling: Exiting
colombia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
colombia:
Use for first exit or straight
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
Lane Usage: Left
colombia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
jamaica:
Use for other exits
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 119 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 119 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Depends on provider; often through insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
jamaica:
119 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
jamaica:
119
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, 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 | $50 to $150, points on license | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Subject to fines and points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Possible for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 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
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
colombia:
Same as residents; must be paid
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
colombia:
Possible if fines are not paid
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines