Driving in Jamaica vs. South Africa: Key Differences
When traveling through Jamaica and South Africa, understanding the nuances in road regulations is crucial for safe navigation. Key distinctions emerge, such as Jamaica’s left-side overtaking rules versus South Africa’s right-side allowances. Familiarizing yourself with these essential driving practices can significantly enhance your travel experience and ensure a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Jamaica | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center of the road on two-way streets. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear | Prohibited unless turning. |
| 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; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Marked with signs indicating bus lane | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
jamaica:
No
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
south africa:
Railroad crossings
Bus Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
jamaica:
Not applicable
south africa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
south africa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Jamaica | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 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 | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 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, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
jamaica:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
70 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
south africa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Jamaica | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 South Africa |
| 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 | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
jamaica:
Proceed with caution; confirm no vehicles are crossing
south africa:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Allowed
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
south africa:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
south africa:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
south africa:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
south africa:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
south africa:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
south africa:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Warning
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Jamaica | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
jamaica:
Prohibited
south africa:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
south africa:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
south africa:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Jamaica | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not consistently used | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jamaica:
Not consistently used
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jamaica:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Jamaica | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if safe | Pull over 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
south africa:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
jamaica:
Informally regulated
south africa:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
jamaica:
Common practice
south africa:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
jamaica:
Discouraged
south africa:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
south africa:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
south africa:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
south africa:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Jamaica | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| 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; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies with severity and past offenses | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| 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 additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
jamaica:
0.08%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
jamaica:
0.03%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
south africa:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
south africa:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
south africa:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Enforcement: Imprisonment
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
south africa:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Jamaica | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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
south africa:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
south africa:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
south africa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Lane Usage: Right
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
south africa:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
jamaica:
Use for other exits
south africa:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Jamaica | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 or 110 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Depends on provider; often through insurance | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
jamaica:
119 or 110
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
jamaica:
119
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jamaica:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Jamaica | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| 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 | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Subject to fines and points | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor fines | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days | Varies depending on violation; 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
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
south africa:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines
south africa:
Possible if fines are not paid