Driving in Jamaica vs. Peru: Key Differences Unveiled
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving practices between Jamaica and Peru. From lane usage to speed limits, these countries showcase distinct approaches to ensuring motorist safety. Discover how Jamaica’s left-side driving diverges from Peru’s right-side norms, and learn about unique traffic etiquette that may affect your journey abroad.
Lanes
| Jamaica | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 and sometimes taxis. |
| 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 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
peru:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
peru:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
peru:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
jamaica:
No
peru:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
peru:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
peru:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
peru:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
peru:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
peru:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
peru:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
peru:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
peru:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
peru:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
jamaica:
Not applicable
peru:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
peru:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Jamaica | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common for immediate traffic violations | Common; often collected by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
peru:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
80 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
80 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
70 km/h
peru:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
100 km/h
peru:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
80 km/h
peru:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
peru:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
peru:
Common; often collected by traffic police
Signals
| Jamaica | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| 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 Peru |
| 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 | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
jamaica:
Amber
peru:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
peru:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
peru:
Not used in Peru
Horn Usage: Allowed
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
peru:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
peru:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
peru:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
peru:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
peru:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
peru:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
peru:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
peru:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
peru:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Jamaica | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed unless indicated 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 | Only at intersections without signs prohibiting |
Right Turn On Red
jamaica:
Prohibited
peru:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
Left Turn: General
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
peru:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
peru:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
peru:
Only at intersections without signs prohibiting
Documentation
| Jamaica | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory, proof is required during checks |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not consistently used | Typically displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
peru:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
peru:
Mandatory, proof is required during checks
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jamaica:
Not consistently used
peru:
Typically displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
peru:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Jamaica | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Often used more 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
peru:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
jamaica:
Informally regulated
peru:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
jamaica:
Common practice
peru:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
jamaica:
Discouraged
peru:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
peru:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
peru:
Often used more compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
peru:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
peru:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
peru:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Jamaica | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 widely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies with severity and past offenses | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
| 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: General Drivers
jamaica:
0.08%
peru:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
jamaica:
0.03%
peru:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
peru:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
peru:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
peru:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
peru:
Common; checkpoints used widely
Enforcement: Fines
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
peru:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Enforcement: Imprisonment
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
peru:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
peru:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Jamaica | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
peru:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
peru:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
peru:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
peru:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
peru:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
jamaica:
Use for other exits
peru:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Jamaica | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 or 110 | 105 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 | Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Depends on provider; often through insurance | Check with your insurance provider or local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
jamaica:
119 or 110
peru:
105
Contact: Traffic Police
jamaica:
119
peru:
Varies; use 105 or specific traffic lines
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
peru:
Check with your insurance provider or local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
peru:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Jamaica | Peru | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit | Varies; fines can be significant |
| 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 | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines apply, enforcement can be strict |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Subject to fines and points | Fines apply, often substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor fines | Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days | Varies; typically a few 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
peru:
Varies; fines can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
peru:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Phone Use
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
peru:
Fines apply, enforcement can be strict
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
peru:
Fines apply, often substantial
Payment: On The Spot
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
peru:
Common; traffic police often collect fines immediately
Payment: Deadline
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
peru:
Varies; typically a few days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
peru:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines
peru:
Possible if fines are not paid