Driving in Guatemala vs. Jamaica: Key Safety Differences
Explore the distinctive road rules and regulations of Guatemala and Jamaica in our detailed comparison! Key takeaways reveal that while Guatemala drives on the right, Jamaica adheres to left-side travel. Furthermore, diverse speed limits and signaling practices highlight the importance of understanding local norms for a safe and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Guatemala | 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: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | 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
guatemala:
Right
jamaica:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
guatemala:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
guatemala:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Left
guatemala:
Yes
jamaica:
No
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
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]
guatemala:
Railroad crossings
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
guatemala:
Use rightmost lane.
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
jamaica:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
jamaica:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 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: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Common for immediate traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
jamaica:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
jamaica:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
jamaica:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
Signals
| Guatemala | 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 Guatemala | 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 | Triangle-shaped with red border | Often triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
guatemala:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
Horn Usage: Allowed
guatemala:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
guatemala:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
Horn Usage: Penalties
guatemala:
Fines may apply for misuse
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
Headlight Flash: Usage
guatemala:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
guatemala:
Not to be used to signal other messages
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
Hand Signals: Permitted
guatemala:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
Hand Signals: Common Usage
guatemala:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
Turns
| Guatemala | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | 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 by location; check for signs | Allowed unless signs prohibit it |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
jamaica:
Prohibited
Left Turn: General
guatemala:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Left Turn: At Intersections
guatemala:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
Documentation
| Guatemala | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
jamaica:
Not consistently used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | 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 | More 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
guatemala:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
Flashing Lights: Misuse
guatemala:
Discouraged, fines may apply
jamaica:
Informally regulated
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
guatemala:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
jamaica:
Common practice
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
guatemala:
Discouraged and may be penalized
jamaica:
Discouraged
Use Of Horn: Limited
guatemala:
Only in emergency situations
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
guatemala:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
guatemala:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
guatemala:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 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, especially at night | Occasionally conducted |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; 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
guatemala:
0.05%
jamaica:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
jamaica:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
guatemala:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
Zero Tolerance: Medications
guatemala:
Check if medication affects driving ability
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
Enforcement: Imprisonment
guatemala:
Possible for severe offenses
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
Test Refusal
guatemala:
Can result in license suspension
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Guatemala | 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
guatemala:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
Priority: Inside
guatemala:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
guatemala:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
Signaling: Exiting
guatemala:
Signal right when preparing to exit
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
guatemala:
Use for first exit or straight
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
Lane Usage: Left
guatemala:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
jamaica:
Use for other exits
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 119 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 119 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Depends on provider; often through insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
jamaica:
119 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
jamaica:
119
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
jamaica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Jamaica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | 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 imposed | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Subject to fines and points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Possible for minor fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | 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
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
guatemala:
Same as residents; must be paid
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
guatemala:
Possible if fines are not paid
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines