Driving in Jamaica vs. Myanmar: Key Differences Explained
Embarking on a journey through Jamaica and Myanmar? Understanding the distinct regulations and practices can enhance your travel experience. Key disparities include driving on the left in Jamaica versus the right in Myanmar, varied speed limits, and unique traffic signals. Stay informed to navigate these vibrant countries safely and confidently.
Lanes
| Jamaica | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. | Marks the 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 | No, overtaking is on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Bridge crossings | Railroad crossings |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Marked with signs indicating bus lane | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Occasional with bicycle symbols | N/A |
| 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
myanmar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
myanmar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
jamaica:
No
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
myanmar:
Railroad crossings
Bus Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
myanmar:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
myanmar:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
myanmar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
jamaica:
Not applicable
myanmar:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
myanmar:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Jamaica | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common for immediate traffic violations | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
80 km/h
myanmar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
70 km/h
myanmar:
50 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
100 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
80 km/h
myanmar:
70 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
myanmar:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
myanmar:
Yes
Signals
| Jamaica | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Myanmar |
| 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 | Burmese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Often triangular with red borders | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
myanmar:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
Horn Usage: Allowed
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
myanmar:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
myanmar:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
myanmar:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
myanmar:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
myanmar:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
myanmar:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
myanmar:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
Turns
| Jamaica | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Prohibited unless permitted 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 | Prohibited unless permitted by signs |
Right Turn On Red
jamaica:
Prohibited
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
Left Turn: General
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
myanmar:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
myanmar:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
Documentation
| Jamaica | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not consistently used | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jamaica:
Not consistently used
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Jamaica | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, more common in cities |
| 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 | Move to the side 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
myanmar:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
jamaica:
Informally regulated
myanmar:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
jamaica:
Common practice
myanmar:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
jamaica:
Discouraged
myanmar:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
myanmar:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
Pedestrians Priority
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
myanmar:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
myanmar:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Jamaica | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.07% |
| 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 | Less common; often during festivals |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies with severity and past offenses | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe breaches | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and license suspension | Can lead to arrest and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
jamaica:
0.08%
myanmar:
0.07%
Limits: Underage Drivers
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
myanmar:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
myanmar:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
myanmar:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
Enforcement: Fines
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
myanmar:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
Roundabouts
| Jamaica | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
myanmar:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
myanmar:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
myanmar:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
myanmar:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
myanmar:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
jamaica:
Use for other exits
myanmar:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Jamaica | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 or 110 | 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Depends on provider; often through insurance | Available through some insurance providers |
Contact: General Emergency
jamaica:
119 or 110
myanmar:
199
Contact: Traffic Police
jamaica:
119
myanmar:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
Penalties And Fines
| Jamaica | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots |
| 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 | Fine enforced; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines for usage while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Subject to fines and points | Fines applied for violations |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor fines | Possible; else must be paid at office |
| Payment: Deadline | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
| 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
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
Common Fines: Alcohol
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
myanmar:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
Payment: On The Spot
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office
Payment: Deadline
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
myanmar:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
myanmar:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines
myanmar:
Possible if fines are not paid