Driving in Jamaica vs. Tunisia: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Jamaica and Tunisia, drivers will encounter distinct regulations that influence their travel experience. From driving on different sides of the road to varying speed limits and overtaking rules, understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring a secure journey. Explore the unique aspects of each country’s road practices to enhance your safety abroad.
Lanes
| Jamaica | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Not typically permitted. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Bridge crossings | Railroad crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily for buses in certain urban areas | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Marked with signs indicating bus lane | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left | N/A |
| 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
tunisia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the center of the road on two-way streets.
tunisia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
jamaica:
Marks the centerline; passing permitted with caution.
tunisia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
jamaica:
No
tunisia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
jamaica:
Yes, when safe and oncoming traffic is clear
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
jamaica:
Bridge crossings
tunisia:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
jamaica:
Use leftmost lane.
tunisia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
tunisia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Primarily for buses in certain urban areas
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Marked with signs indicating bus lane
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
jamaica:
Limited
tunisia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
jamaica:
Shared with the road, cyclists must keep to the left
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
jamaica:
Occasional with bicycle symbols
tunisia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
jamaica:
Not applicable
tunisia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs or road markings
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Jamaica | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 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 | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 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 | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
jamaica:
30-50 km/h
tunisia:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
80 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
80 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
jamaica:
70 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
jamaica:
100 km/h
tunisia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
jamaica:
100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
jamaica:
Fixed speed limits via signs
tunisia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
jamaica:
Common for immediate traffic violations
tunisia:
Yes
Signals
| Jamaica | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 typically used |
| 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 | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| 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
tunisia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
jamaica:
Not used in Jamaica
tunisia:
Not typically used
Horn Usage: Allowed
jamaica:
Typically allowed in situations to avert danger
tunisia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
jamaica:
Discouraged near hospitals and schools
tunisia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
jamaica:
Rarely enforced
tunisia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
jamaica:
To signal intentions, often a warning
tunisia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
jamaica:
Not widely restricted
tunisia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
jamaica:
Yes, especially if indicator lights fail
tunisia:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
jamaica:
More common in older or malfunctioning vehicles
tunisia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
jamaica:
English; symbols are standard
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
jamaica:
Often triangular with red borders
tunisia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Jamaica | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 intersections unless otherwise posted |
Left Turn: General
jamaica:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
tunisia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
jamaica:
Yield to oncoming traffic
tunisia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
jamaica:
Allowed unless signs prohibit it
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| Jamaica | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof via certificate | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not consistently used | Displayed on 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
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
jamaica:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
jamaica:
Annual inspection required; proof via certificate
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
jamaica:
Not consistently used
tunisia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jamaica:
Recommended
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Jamaica | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Encouraged, 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 |
| 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
tunisia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
jamaica:
Informally regulated
tunisia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
jamaica:
Common practice
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
jamaica:
Discouraged
tunisia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
jamaica:
Encouraged only to avert danger
tunisia:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
jamaica:
Moderate use; more common than in some countries
tunisia:
Moderate use
Pedestrians Priority
jamaica:
Pedestrians have right of way at crossings
tunisia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
jamaica:
Pull over and stop if safe
tunisia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
jamaica:
Sirens and flashing lights
tunisia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Jamaica | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 policy |
| 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 broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies with severity and past offenses | Substantial; varies by 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 |
Limits: General Drivers
jamaica:
0.08%
tunisia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
jamaica:
0.03%
tunisia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
jamaica:
Zero tolerance; underage drinking and driving prohibited
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
jamaica:
Zero tolerance for driving under drug influence
tunisia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
jamaica:
Check for impairment warnings
tunisia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
jamaica:
Occasionally conducted
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
jamaica:
Varies with severity and past offenses
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Enforcement: Imprisonment
jamaica:
Possible for severe breaches
tunisia:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
jamaica:
Can result in fines and license suspension
tunisia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Jamaica | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
tunisia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
jamaica:
Keep to the left; do not change lanes abruptly
tunisia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
jamaica:
Signal if taking an immediate exit
tunisia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
jamaica:
Signal left when preparing to exit
tunisia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
jamaica:
Use for immediate or second exit
tunisia:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
jamaica:
Use for other exits
tunisia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Jamaica | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 or 110 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Depends on provider; often through insurance | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| 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
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
jamaica:
119
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
jamaica:
Depends on provider; often through insurance
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
jamaica:
Recommended
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
jamaica:
Recommended
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Jamaica | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase with speed over limit | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| 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 | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Subject to fines and points | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for minor fines | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days | Varies; typically 15 to 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
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Alcohol
jamaica:
Severe penalties; includes fines and possible imprisonment
tunisia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
jamaica:
Mandatory; fines apply for non-compliance
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
jamaica:
Prohibited without hands-free; fines apply
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
jamaica:
Subject to fines and points
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
jamaica:
Possible for minor fines
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
jamaica:
Enforced strictly; usually within 30 days
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
jamaica:
Must be paid promptly to avoid complications
tunisia:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
jamaica:
Possible for unresolved fines
tunisia:
Possible if fines are not paid