Driving in Jamaica vs. Trinidad and Tobago: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, it's essential to understand their unique traffic regulations and practices. From lane markings to speed limits, key distinctions emerge, such as Jamaica's solid yellow line indicating the road center versus Trinidad's use for right edges. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can significantly enhance your travel safety and driving experience.
Lanes
| Jamaica | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Right | Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear | Yes, when safe and permitted. |
| 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 and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Marked with signs indicating bus lane | Marked with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left | Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
trinidad and tobago:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
trinidad and tobago:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, when safe and permitted.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
trinidad and tobago:
Railroad crossings
Bus Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
trinidad and tobago:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
jamaica:
Not applicable
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Jamaica | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 65 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Fixed speed limits via signs | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common for immediate traffic violations | Common, officers may issue fines directly |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
70 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
Signals
| Jamaica | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Trinidad and Tobago |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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
trinidad and tobago:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
Horn Usage: Allowed
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
trinidad and tobago:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
trinidad and tobago:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
trinidad and tobago:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
trinidad and tobago:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
trinidad and tobago:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Warning
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
trinidad and tobago:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Jamaica | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
jamaica:
Prohibited
trinidad and tobago:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
trinidad and tobago:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
trinidad and tobago:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Jamaica | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not consistently used | Displayed on vehicle |
| 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
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
jamaica:
Liability insurance mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
trinidad and tobago:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jamaica:
Not consistently used
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jamaica:
Recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Jamaica | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To signal intentions or warnings | To warn of hazards |
| 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 | Frequent use to communicate in traffic |
| 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
trinidad and tobago:
To warn of hazards
Flashing Lights: Misuse
jamaica:
Informally regulated
trinidad and tobago:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
jamaica:
Common practice
trinidad and tobago:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
jamaica:
Discouraged
trinidad and tobago:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
trinidad and tobago:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
Pedestrians Priority
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
trinidad and tobago:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
trinidad and tobago:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
trinidad and tobago:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Jamaica | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| 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 |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies with severity and past offenses | Varies; 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%
trinidad and tobago:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
trinidad and tobago:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
trinidad and tobago:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
trinidad and tobago:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
trinidad and tobago:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
trinidad and tobago:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
trinidad and tobago:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Jamaica | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
trinidad and tobago:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
trinidad and tobago:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
trinidad and tobago:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
trinidad and tobago:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
trinidad and tobago:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
jamaica:
Use for other exits
trinidad and tobago:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Jamaica | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 or 110 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 | 999 or use local police numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Depends on provider; often through insurance | Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
jamaica:
119 or 110
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
jamaica:
119
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jamaica:
Recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Jamaica | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, 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 | TT$ 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | TT$ 1,500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Subject to fines and points | TT$ 2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor fines | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days | Varies; typically within 15-30 days |
| 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
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
Payment: Deadline
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
trinidad and tobago:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines
trinidad and tobago:
Possible if fines are not paid