Bahamas Driving Theory Test cheat sheet

Bahamas drives on the left, so regulatory signs and traffic signals are positioned for left-hand-drive-perspective traffic flow; a red octagon always means a full stop before the line or crosswalk.

Sign shapes carry meaning independent of text: octagon = stop, downward triangle = yield/give way, diamond = warning, rectangle = regulatory or information, pentagon = school zone or school crossing.

Sign colours: red = prohibition or stop, yellow = warning, white/black = regulatory, green = direction and distance, blue = services or information, orange = road works or construction.

A flashing red signal is treated as a stop sign: stop fully, yield to cross traffic, then proceed when clear; a flashing yellow signal means slow down and proceed with caution.

A steady yellow light means the signal is about to turn red; stop if it is safe to do so, and never accelerate to beat the change.

Solid white or yellow lines separate traffic; a solid line on your side means no crossing or overtaking, while a broken (dashed) line permits crossing when safe.

A stop line, crosswalk markings, and yellow box junctions must be kept clear; do not enter a yellow box unless your exit is clear.

Traffic light sequence is red, red-and-amber, green, amber, red; the red-and-amber phase means prepare to go but do not move until green appears.

Road markings in school zones and near pedestrian crossings are reinforced with signs; a school crossing guard's signal has the same force as a traffic signal.

At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to traffic already in the intersection and to vehicles approaching from your right when arriving at the same time.

At a T-junction with no signs, the vehicle on the terminating road must yield to traffic on the through road.

When turning across oncoming traffic (a right turn in left-hand-drive Bahamas conditions), yield to vehicles going straight or turning from the opposite direction.

A vehicle entering a roundabout yields to traffic already circulating; indicate left on approach and signal left to exit in left-hand-drive circulation.

Emergency vehicles with lights and sirens have right-of-way; pull to the left edge and stop until they pass.

Pedestrians in a marked crosswalk, or stepping onto one, have right-of-way; vehicles must stop and remain stopped until the pedestrian clears your path.

At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to arrive proceeds first; if two arrive together, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right.

Reversing vehicles and vehicles leaving a driveway, parking space, or private road must yield to all traffic already on the roadway.

Right-of-way is something you yield, not take; a driver who has right-of-way should still proceed only when it is safe.

In built-up and residential areas the default maximum is generally 30 mph unless signs indicate otherwise; observe posted limits, which override defaults.

School zones typically require 15 mph or the posted lower limit during school hours and when children are present.

The two-second rule sets minimum following distance in good conditions: pick a fixed object, count two seconds after the vehicle ahead passes it, and ensure you do not reach it sooner.

Double the following gap to four seconds or more in rain, at night, behind large vehicles, or when towing.

Stopping distance = thinking distance + braking distance; thinking distance grows with speed and reaction time, and braking distance grows with the square of speed.

Speed limits are maximums for ideal conditions; reduce speed in rain, fog, at night, on unpaved roads, and near pedestrians or cyclists.

Never drive so slowly that you impede normal traffic flow; excessively slow driving is itself a hazard.

Speed cameras and radar enforcement apply; penalties escalate for excessive speeding and repeat offences.

A valid driver's licence for the correct class must be carried whenever driving; learners must display L plates and be accompanied by a licensed driver.

Seat belts are mandatory for the driver and all passengers; children must use appropriate child restraints.

Driving without insurance, a valid licence, or road tax is an offence and may result in vehicle seizure or fines.

Vehicles must be registered and carry valid inspection and road-tax certificates where required.

Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited; use hands-free devices only when it does not distract.

Traffic offences carry demerit points and can lead to licence suspension or revocation for repeat offenders.

A driver must report a collision involving injury, death, or significant property damage to police promptly and exchange details.

Learner and provisional drivers face restrictions on passengers, night driving, and alcohol limits; breach can extend the probationary period.

Indicators must be used to signal turns, lane changes, and stopping, and must be given in good time before the manoeuvre.

In the Bahamas the legal blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers is 0.08%; lower or zero limits apply to learner and novice drivers.

Refusing a lawful breath, blood, or urine test is itself an offence and carries penalties similar to or greater than driving over the limit.

Alcohol impairs reaction time, judgment, and coordination before a driver feels intoxicated; there is no safe amount before driving.

Prescription and over-the-counter drugs that cause drowsiness or impair coordination can constitute impaired driving even if legally obtained.

Illegal drugs and cannabis impair driving; combining alcohol with drugs multiplies impairment.

Penalties for impaired driving include fines, licence suspension, imprisonment, and mandatory education or treatment programmes.

Fatigue is a form of impairment; after 17-19 hours awake, performance can be worse than at the legal alcohol limit.

A driver suspected of impairment may be required to provide a sample; failure to comply can be treated as an offence.

Pedestrians in a crosswalk have right-of-way; drivers must stop and remain stopped until the pedestrian has cleared the lane.

When passing a cyclist, leave at least 1 metre (about 3 feet) of clearance where possible, and more at higher speeds.

Cyclists are entitled to use the road and may ride two abreast in some circumstances; do not crowd or sound the horn unnecessarily.

Motorcyclists are smaller and harder to see; check blind spots twice and give them a full lane when passing.

Large vehicles such as trucks and buses have wide blind spots and long stopping distances; avoid lingering alongside them and never cut in front.

When a school bus displays flashing red lights, traffic in both directions must stop until the lights are switched off, unless separated by a median.

At pedestrian crossings, do not block the crossing or stop on it; keep the crossing clear even in slow traffic.

Give way to pedestrians when turning at junctions, and to elderly or disabled pedestrians who may need more time.

Horse-drawn vehicles and slow-moving traffic in tourist areas require patience and a wide passing margin.

Tyres must have adequate tread depth (at least 1.6 mm) and correct pressure; check cold, and inspect for cuts, bulges, and uneven wear.

Brakes, lights, indicators, horn, wipers, and mirrors must be in working order before driving.

Check engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid regularly; low levels can cause breakdowns or failure.

Seat belts and child restraints must be correctly fitted and in good condition; damaged belts should be replaced.

Headlights must be used at night and in poor visibility; use dipped beams when following or meeting other vehicles.

A spare tyre, jack, wheel brace, warning triangle, and first-aid kit should be carried for emergencies.

Dashboard warning lights (oil pressure, temperature, battery, brake) require immediate attention; stop safely if a red warning appears.

Do not overload the vehicle; excess weight affects braking, steering, and tyre safety.

Windscreens must be clear; keep washers and demisters working and remove obstructions to vision.

If a tyre blows out, hold the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and steer straight; do not brake hard until the vehicle is under control.

If brakes fail, pump the pedal, shift to a lower gear, use the handbrake gently, and look for a safe escape route.

In a skid, steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go and avoid harsh braking or acceleration.

If your vehicle stalls on a railway crossing or in traffic, get occupants out and move to safety, then warn other traffic.

At a collision, stop, switch on hazard lights, check for injuries, call emergency services, exchange details, and do not move injured persons unless there is immediate danger.

Defensive driving means scanning ahead, checking mirrors frequently, maintaining space cushions, and anticipating other drivers' errors.

Use the three-second (or longer) following rule, and create an escape route on at least one side of your vehicle.

In fog, use dipped headlights and fog lights, reduce speed, and increase following distance; do not use high beams.

If you feel drowsy, stop in a safe place and rest; opening a window or turning up the radio does not cure fatigue.

Regulatory signs command or prohibit actions; warning signs alert to hazards ahead; information signs guide and direct.

A yellow diamond with a symbol warns of a hazard such as a bend, junction, or pedestrian crossing ahead.

A red circle with a diagonal line indicates a prohibition, such as no entry, no parking, or no overtaking.

A blue circle with a white arrow indicates a mandatory direction, such as turn left or keep left.

Double yellow lines along the kerb generally mean no parking at any time; single yellow lines restrict parking during specified hours.

Broken white lines separate lanes of traffic travelling in the same direction; a solid white line means lane changes are discouraged or prohibited.

Directional arrows painted on the road indicate the lane's permitted movement; follow them and do not change lanes across solid lines.

Traffic signals and signs must be obeyed; if a police officer is directing traffic, the officer's signals override signs and lights.

Pedestrian crossing markings (zebra or signal-controlled) require drivers to give way and keep the crossing clear.

At a roundabout, signal left on approach, yield to circulating traffic, and signal left again to exit; do not change lanes inside the roundabout without checking.

At an intersection with a stop sign, come to a complete stop at the line or before the crossing, then proceed when clear.

At a yield sign, slow down and be prepared to stop; give way to traffic on the priority road.

When two vehicles arrive at a four-way stop simultaneously, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

Vehicles turning left (across oncoming traffic) must yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right.

Pedestrians on a crossing have priority; vehicles turning into a side road must give way to pedestrians crossing that road.

Emergency vehicles with active sirens and lights have priority; move left and stop until they pass.

Vehicles entering a main road from a driveway, car park, or field must yield to all traffic on the main road.

Do not enter an intersection unless you can clear it; blocking the box is an offence and obstructs cross traffic.

Posted speed limits set the maximum legal speed for that road; in the absence of signs, default limits apply according to road type and area.

School zones require reduced speed (commonly 15 mph) during school hours and when children are present.

The two-second rule is the minimum following gap in dry, daylight conditions; increase to four seconds in rain or at night.

Stopping distance increases with speed: doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance.

Wet roads reduce tyre grip and lengthen braking distance; reduce speed and increase following distance.

Speed limits are maximums for ideal conditions; slow down in fog, rain, at night, or near pedestrians.

Do not drive so slowly that you obstruct traffic; maintain a speed consistent with the flow where safe.

Speed cameras and radar enforce limits; penalties increase for excessive speed and repeat offences.

When towing a trailer or carrying a heavy load, reduce speed and increase following distance.

A valid licence of the correct class must be carried when driving; learners must display L plates and be supervised.

Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants; children must use approved child restraints.

Driving without insurance, registration, or road tax is an offence and can lead to fines or vehicle seizure.

Hand-held mobile phone use while driving is prohibited; hands-free use is permitted only when not distracting.

Traffic offences carry demerit points; accumulation can lead to suspension or revocation.

Collisions involving injury, death, or significant damage must be reported to police promptly and details exchanged.

Learner and provisional drivers face restrictions and lower alcohol limits; breaches can extend probation.

Indicators must be used to signal turns, lane changes, and stopping in good time.

Vehicles must be registered and carry valid inspection and road-tax certificates where required.

The legal blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers in the Bahamas is 0.08%; lower limits apply to novice drivers.

Refusing a lawful breath, blood, or urine test is an offence with penalties similar to or greater than driving over the limit.

Alcohol impairs reaction time, judgment, and coordination before a driver feels intoxicated; there is no safe amount before driving.

Prescription and over-the-counter drugs that cause drowsiness can constitute impaired driving even if legally obtained.

Illegal drugs and cannabis impair driving; combining alcohol with drugs multiplies impairment.

Penalties for impaired driving include fines, licence suspension, imprisonment, and mandatory education or treatment.

Fatigue is a form of impairment; after 17-19 hours awake, performance can be worse than at the legal alcohol limit.

A driver suspected of impairment may be required to provide a sample; failure to comply can be treated as an offence.

Impaired driving is a leading cause of fatal collisions; plan a designated driver or use public transport.

Pedestrians in a crosswalk have right-of-way; drivers must stop and remain stopped until the pedestrian clears the lane.

When passing a cyclist, leave at least 1 metre (about 3 feet) of clearance where possible, and more at higher speeds.

Cyclists may ride two abreast in some circumstances; do not crowd or sound the horn unnecessarily.

Motorcyclists are smaller and harder to see; check blind spots twice and give them a full lane when passing.

Large vehicles have wide blind spots and long stopping distances; avoid lingering alongside them and never cut in front.

When a school bus displays flashing red lights, traffic in both directions must stop until the lights are switched off, unless separated by a median.

Do not block pedestrian crossings; keep the crossing clear even in slow traffic.

Give way to pedestrians when turning at junctions, and to elderly or disabled pedestrians who may need more time.

Horse-drawn vehicles and slow-moving traffic in tourist areas require patience and a wide passing margin.

Tyres must have adequate tread depth (at least 1.6 mm) and correct pressure; check cold and inspect for cuts, bulges, and uneven wear.

Brakes, lights, indicators, horn, wipers, and mirrors must be in working order before driving.

Check engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid regularly; low levels can cause breakdowns or failure.

Seat belts and child restraints must be correctly fitted and in good condition; damaged belts should be replaced.

Headlights must be used at night and in poor visibility; use dipped beams when following or meeting other vehicles.

A spare tyre, jack, wheel brace, warning triangle, and first-aid kit should be carried for emergencies.

Dashboard warning lights (oil pressure, temperature, battery, brake) require immediate attention; stop safely if a red warning appears.

Do not overload the vehicle; excess weight affects braking, steering, and tyre safety.

Windscreens must be clear; keep washers and demisters working and remove obstructions to vision.

If a tyre blows out, hold the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and steer straight; do not brake hard until the vehicle is under control.

If brakes fail, pump the pedal, shift to a lower gear, use the handbrake gently, and look for a safe escape route.

In a skid, steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go and avoid harsh braking or acceleration.

If your vehicle stalls on a railway crossing or in traffic, get occupants out and move to safety, then warn other traffic.

At a collision, stop, switch on hazard lights, check for injuries, call emergency services, exchange details, and do not move injured persons unless there is immediate danger.

Defensive driving means scanning ahead, checking mirrors frequently, maintaining space cushions, and anticipating other drivers' errors.

Use the three-second (or longer) following rule, and create an escape route on at least one side of your vehicle.

In fog, use dipped headlights and fog lights, reduce speed, and increase following distance; do not use high beams.

If you feel drowsy, stop in a safe place and rest; opening a window or turning up the radio does not cure fatigue.