Driving Differences: Jamaica vs. Mexico Explained
When navigating the roads of Jamaica and Mexico, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their travel experience. Key contrasts include driving on the left in Jamaica versus the right in Mexico, diverse speed limits, and varying traffic signaling methods. Understanding these aspects is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Jamaica | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Bridge crossings | Railroad crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Marked with signs indicating bus lane | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Occasional with bicycle symbols | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings | N/A |
Driving Side
jamaica:
Left
mexico:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
mexico:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
jamaica:
No
mexico:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
mexico:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
mexico:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
mexico:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
mexico:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
jamaica:
Not applicable
mexico:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
mexico:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Jamaica | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common for immediate traffic violations | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
mexico:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
70 km/h
mexico:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
100 km/h
mexico:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
100 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
80 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
mexico:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
Signals
| Jamaica | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Jamaica | Not used in Mexico |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Typically allowed in situations to avert danger | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Rarely enforced | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To signal intentions, often a warning | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not widely restricted | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, especially if indicator lights fail | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Often triangular with red borders | Triangular signs with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
mexico:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
Horn Usage: Allowed
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
mexico:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
mexico:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
mexico:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
mexico:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
mexico:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
mexico:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
mexico:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
Turns
| Jamaica | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless signs prohibit it | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited |
Right Turn On Red
jamaica:
Prohibited
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Left Turn: General
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
mexico:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
mexico:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
Documentation
| Jamaica | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate | Varies by state; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not consistently used | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jamaica:
Not consistently used
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
mexico:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jamaica:
Recommended
mexico:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Jamaica | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To signal intentions or warnings | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Informally regulated | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Encouraged only to avert danger | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use; more common than in some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if safe | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Sirens and flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions or warnings
mexico:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
jamaica:
Informally regulated
mexico:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
jamaica:
Common practice
mexico:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
jamaica:
Discouraged
mexico:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
mexico:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
mexico:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
mexico:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Jamaica | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check for impairment warnings | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasionally conducted | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies with severity and past offenses | Can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe breaches | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
jamaica:
0.03%
mexico:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
mexico:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
mexico:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
mexico:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
mexico:
Can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
mexico:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
mexico:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Jamaica | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if taking an immediate exit | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for immediate or second exit | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for other exits | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
jamaica:
Yield to the right; vehicles in the roundabout have priority
mexico:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
mexico:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
mexico:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
mexico:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
mexico:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
jamaica:
Use for other exits
mexico:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Jamaica | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 or 110 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 | 066 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Depends on provider; often through insurance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
jamaica:
119 or 110
mexico:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
jamaica:
119
mexico:
066 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jamaica:
Recommended
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Jamaica | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance | Varies, up to $50, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Varies; can lead to significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Subject to fines and points | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor fines | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred |
| Payment: Deadline | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days | Varies; system improvements for online payments |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Must be paid promptly to avoid complications | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible for unresolved fines | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
jamaica:
Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
mexico:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
Payment: Deadline
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
Foreign Drivers: Fines
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
mexico:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines
mexico:
Possible if fines are not paid