Driving Differences: Jamaica vs. New Zealand Explained
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Jamaica and New Zealand. From lane markings and speed limits to signaling habits, these nations exhibit distinct driving norms. Notably, New Zealand emphasizes stricter traffic laws and lower alcohol limits, while Jamaica offers a more flexible approach to overtaking. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey abroad.
Lanes
| Jamaica | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. | Marks the right 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 right. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Bridge crossings | Railroad crossings |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Marked with signs indicating bus lane | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Occasional with bicycle symbols | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
new zealand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
jamaica:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
new zealand:
Railroad crossings
Bus Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
new zealand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
new zealand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
jamaica:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Jamaica | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common for immediate traffic violations | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
jamaica:
30 km/h
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
80 km/h
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
70 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
80 km/h
new zealand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
jamaica:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Jamaica | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 New Zealand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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: Warning | Often triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
new zealand:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
jamaica:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
new zealand:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
new zealand:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
new zealand:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
new zealand:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
new zealand:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
new zealand:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Warning
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Jamaica | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| 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 | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
jamaica:
Prohibited
new zealand:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
new zealand:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Jamaica | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not consistently used | Displayed on license plate or 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
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jamaica:
Not consistently used
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jamaica:
Recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Jamaica | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if safe | Move to the left 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
new zealand:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
jamaica:
Informally regulated
new zealand:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
jamaica:
Common practice
new zealand:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
jamaica:
Discouraged
new zealand:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
new zealand:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
new zealand:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Jamaica | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| 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; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies with severity and past offenses | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe breaches | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in fines and license suspension | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
jamaica:
0.08%
new zealand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
jamaica:
0.03%
new zealand:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
new zealand:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
new zealand:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
new zealand:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Enforcement: Imprisonment
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
new zealand:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Jamaica | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left if making an immediate left turn 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
new zealand:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
new zealand:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
new zealand:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
new zealand:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
jamaica:
Use for other exits
new zealand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Jamaica | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 or 110 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Depends on provider; often through insurance | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
| 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
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
jamaica:
119
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jamaica:
Recommended
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Jamaica | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit | Varies; $30 to $630, 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 | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Subject to fines and points | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor fines | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days | Varies; typically 28 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
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
new zealand:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines
new zealand:
Possible if fines are not paid