Cuba vs Japan: A Guide to Unique Driving Differences
Explore the intriguing contrasts between Cuba and Japan when it comes to road practices and regulations. From driving sides and lane usage to speed limits and emergency protocols, each country showcases unique rules that impact vehicular safety. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Cuba | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not typical; follow local rules and signs. | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use the rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Rare | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles. | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Road signs or painted indicators where applicable. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
cuba:
Right
japan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cuba:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
cuba:
Yes
japan:
No
Overtaking: On Right
cuba:
Not typical; follow local rules and signs.
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
cuba:
List length: 4
japan:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
cuba:
Use the rightmost lane.
japan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cuba:
No
japan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cuba:
N/A
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cuba:
N/A
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cuba:
Rare
japan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cuba:
Bicycles may share the road with motor vehicles.
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cuba:
Road signs or painted indicators where applicable.
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cuba:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cuba:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Cuba | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Rare | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; enforced by traffic police | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cuba:
30-40 km/h
japan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
60-80 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cuba:
60-80 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
50-70 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cuba:
90-100 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cuba:
90-100 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cuba:
80-90 km/h
japan:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cuba:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cuba:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
cuba:
Rare
japan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cuba:
Common; enforced by traffic police
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Cuba | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cuba | Not used in Japan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cuba:
Not used in Cuba
japan:
Not used in Japan
Traffic Signs: Language
cuba:
Spanish; symbols are standard
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cuba:
Triangular with red border
japan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Cuba | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area, check for local signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
cuba:
Varies by area, check for local signs
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Cuba | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cuba:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cuba:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cuba:
Annual inspection required
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cuba:
Displayed on windshield
japan:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory
japan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Cuba | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Generally used sparingly |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
cuba:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
japan:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cuba:
More frequent use than in some countries
japan:
Generally used sparingly
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
cuba:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
japan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Cuba | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | Prohibited; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints may be set up |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
cuba:
0.05%
japan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cuba:
0.02%
japan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cuba:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
cuba:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
Enforcement: Fines
cuba:
Varies; can be substantial
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Emergency Services
| Cuba | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 106 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 106 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider; national lines may apply | Check with your insurance provider or JAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
cuba:
106
japan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
cuba:
106
japan:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cuba:
Varies by provider; national lines may apply
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cuba:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Cuba | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency | Varies; substantial fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines; enforceable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Severe fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fine equivalent varies, local currency | Fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; usually paid directly to officers | Rare; fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
cuba:
Varies; typically $10 to $100 equivalent, local currency
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
cuba:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
japan:
Fines; enforceable
Common Fines: Phone Use
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cuba:
Fine equivalent varies, local currency
japan:
Fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cuba:
Common; usually paid directly to officers
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
cuba:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days