Driving in India vs Trinidad and Tobago: Key Differences
Driving in India and Trinidad and Tobago presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should understand. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and the use of signaling. While India emphasizes bus lanes and traffic etiquette, Trinidad and Tobago focuses on strict enforcement and road safety protocols. Familiarizing yourself with these variations is essential for a secure journey.
Lanes
| India | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, but only when safe. | Yes, when safe and permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | Marked with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
trinidad and tobago:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, when safe and permitted.
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
trinidad and tobago:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
trinidad and tobago:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
india:
Exclusive for bicycles.
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
india:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| India | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-70 km/h | 65 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 | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities and highways | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Common, officers may issue fines directly |
Urban Areas: Standard
india:
40-50 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
trinidad and tobago:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
Signals
| India | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | Not used in Trinidad and Tobago |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common due to varied vehicle conditions | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and local languages; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
india:
Not used in India
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Headlight Flash: Usage
india:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
trinidad and tobago:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
trinidad and tobago:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
trinidad and tobago:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
india:
Triangular with red border
trinidad and tobago:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| India | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Not allowed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
trinidad and tobago:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
trinidad and tobago:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| India | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
india:
Liability insurance mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
trinidad and tobago:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| India | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to other countries | Frequent use to communicate in traffic |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
india:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
trinidad and tobago:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
trinidad and tobago:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
trinidad and tobago:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
trinidad and tobago:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
trinidad and tobago:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
india:
0.00%
trinidad and tobago:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
india:
0.00%
trinidad and tobago:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
trinidad and tobago:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
trinidad and tobago:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| India | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
trinidad and tobago:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
trinidad and tobago:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| India | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | 999 or use local police numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
india:
112
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| India | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | TT$ 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | TT$ 1,500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | TT$ 2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days