Driving Differences: Mexico vs. Trinidad and Tobago
When traveling from Mexico to Trinidad and Tobago, understanding the nuances of road regulations is vital for ensuring a smooth driving experience. Key distinctions include driving sides, speed limits, and overtaking rules, which can significantly impact your safety. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will help you navigate the roads with confidence.
Lanes
| Mexico | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, when safe and permitted. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. | Marked with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. | Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
mexico:
Right
trinidad and tobago:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
trinidad and tobago:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
mexico:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
No
Overtaking: On Right
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, when safe and permitted.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
mexico:
Use rightmost lane.
trinidad and tobago:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
trinidad and tobago:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mexico:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 65 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | Common, officers may issue fines directly |
Urban Areas: Standard
mexico:
40-60 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
100-120 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
80-100 km/h
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
Signals
| Mexico | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not used in Trinidad and Tobago |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
mexico:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Headlight Flash: Usage
mexico:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
trinidad and tobago:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
trinidad and tobago:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
trinidad and tobago:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Mexico | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
trinidad and tobago:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Mexico | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
mexico:
Liability insurance mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
trinidad and tobago:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Frequent use to communicate in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
mexico:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
trinidad and tobago:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
trinidad and tobago:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Mexico | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
trinidad and tobago:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
mexico:
0.00%
trinidad and tobago:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
trinidad and tobago:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Mexico | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | 999 or use local police numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
mexico:
911
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | Trinidad and tobago | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | TT$ 1,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | TT$ 1,500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | TT$ 2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies; typically within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days