Saint Lucia Driver's Theory Test cheat sheet

Saint Lucia follows the left-hand traffic system; signs and markings follow UK/CARICOM conventions, so regulatory signs are circular, warning signs triangular, and information signs rectangular.

Red circles mean prohibition (no entry, no parking, speed limit); blue circles mean mandatory instruction (turn left, keep left, minimum speed); red triangles warn of a hazard ahead.

An octagonal red STOP sign requires a complete stop at the line and a check for traffic before proceeding; a downward-pointing triangle is GIVE WAY (yield) and does not require a full stop unless traffic is present.

Broken white centre lines may be crossed to overtake or change lanes when safe; a solid white line on your side must not be crossed except to enter a driveway or avoid an obstruction.

Double solid yellow lines along the edge or centre prohibit parking and overtaking; single yellow lines restrict parking during posted hours only.

Traffic light sequence is red, red-and-amber, green, amber, red; amber means stop unless it is unsafe to do so, never accelerate.

A flashing amber signal at a pedestrian crossing means give way to pedestrians on the crossing but proceed if it is clear.

Zebra crossing markings are alternating black and white stripes with flashing amber globes (Belisha beacons) at the kerb.

School crossing warning signs and pedestrian crossing signs are triangular with a red border; reduce speed and be prepared to stop.

Saint Lucia drives on the left; at an uncontrolled junction the default is to give way to traffic approaching from your right unless signs or markings say otherwise.

At a T-junction the road ending at the top of the T must give way to traffic on the through road.

A vehicle turning right across oncoming traffic must yield to that oncoming traffic; a vehicle turning left keeps to the left of the junction and does not cross opposing lanes.

At a roundabout, traffic already circulating has priority; enter to the left (clockwise) and give way to vehicles from your right.

Pedestrians on a zebra crossing have absolute priority once they have stepped onto the stripes; approach at a speed that lets you stop.

Overtake on the right; overtaking on the left is only permitted when the vehicle ahead is signalling a right turn or in slow-moving queued traffic.

Emergency vehicles with sirens or flashing blue lights have priority; do not break the law to make way - slow, signal and pull to the left when safe.

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

Never enter a yellow box junction or blocked junction unless your exit is clear.

Driving without a valid Saint Lucia driver's licence, or without insurance, is an offence; carry both documents whenever driving.

The legal blood alcohol limit for driving in Saint Lucia is 0.08 g/100 ml (80 mg/100 ml); a lower limit applies to novice and professional drivers in many jurisdictions - when in doubt, do not drink and drive.

Seat belts are mandatory for the driver and front-seat passengers; children must be restrained in an approved child seat appropriate to their height and weight.

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

Speed limits: 25 mph (40 km/h) in towns and built-up areas unless signs say otherwise; obey posted limits on highways and rural roads.

Penalties for traffic offences include fixed penalties, demerit points, fines, disqualification and, for serious offences, imprisonment; penalties escalate for repeat offences.

Failing to stop after an accident involving injury, or failing to report it to the police, is a serious offence.

Driving without due care and attention, or dangerous driving, carries heavier penalties than minor traffic violations.

Vehicle registration, road tax and a valid inspection certificate must be current; driving an uninsured or unroadworthy vehicle is an offence.

Use the two-second rule for following distance in dry conditions; double it to four seconds in rain or at night, and increase further on gravel or wet roads.

The Smith System: Aim high in steering, Get the big picture, Keep your eyes moving, Leave yourself an out, Make sure others see you.

Scan 12–15 seconds ahead in urban areas and 20–30 seconds on the highway to anticipate hazards.

Limit distractions: set the radio, GPS and mirrors before moving off; never text or handle a phone while driving.

Use the SIPDE cycle: Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute.

Signal your intention at least three seconds before turning or changing lanes, and check mirrors and blind spots before manoeuvring.

Drive to the conditions, not the speed limit; if visibility or grip is reduced, slow down.

Avoid fatigue: take a 15-minute break every two hours; fatigue impairs judgement as much as alcohol.

At night, dip headlights for oncoming traffic and when following another vehicle; never use high beams in fog or heavy rain.

Pre-drive checks: tyres (pressure, tread depth at least 1.6 mm), lights, fluid levels, wipers, mirrors, seat and headrest adjustment, and fuel.

The cockpit drill: doors closed, seat position, steering wheel, mirrors, seat belt - in that order before starting the engine.

Use the POM routine: Prepare (clutch, gear, handbrake), Observe (mirrors, blind spot), Manoeuvre (signal, move off).

The clutch is operated with the left foot; the brake and accelerator with the right foot - never rest the left foot on the brake.

Gear selection should match speed; use engine braking on descents rather than riding the brakes.

ABS prevents wheel lock-up under heavy braking; maintain firm pressure and steer - do not pump the pedal.

Tyre tread below 1.6 mm, uneven wear or incorrect pressure reduces grip and increases stopping distance.

Check the handbrake is fully released before moving off; a partially engaged handbrake causes brake fade and overheating.

Under-inflated tyres increase fuel consumption and the risk of a blowout; check pressures when tyres are cold.

Give cyclists at least 1 metre of clearance when overtaking below 30 mph and 1.5 metres above 30 mph.

Do not overtake a cyclist immediately before a junction or bend where visibility is limited.

Pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users; at crossings, give way to anyone waiting to cross.

When passing a stationary bus, watch for pedestrians stepping out from in front of it.

Motorcyclists are hard to see at junctions; look twice, especially for a single headlight at night.

Large vehicles (trucks, buses) have wide blind spots and long stopping distances; do not cut in front of them after overtaking.

When passing horses, slow down, give at least 2 metres of space and avoid revving or sounding the horn.

Children and the elderly may behave unpredictably; reduce speed near schools, playgrounds and residential areas.

In residential areas, watch for children and pets emerging from between parked cars; drive at a speed that allows you to stop within the distance you can see to be clear.

In rain, reduce speed, increase following distance and avoid sudden braking; wet roads can double stopping distance.

Aquaplaning occurs when water lifts the tyres off the road; ease off the accelerator, keep the steering straight and do not brake hard.

Use dipped headlights in rain, fog and at dusk; high beams reflect off fog and reduce visibility.

In fog, use fog lights only when visibility drops below about 100 metres; switch them off when visibility improves.

At night, drive within the range of your headlights - typically about 30 metres on dipped beam and 100 metres on full beam.

Do not look directly at oncoming headlights; look to the left edge of your lane to maintain position.

On wet or gravel roads, avoid sudden acceleration, braking or steering; smooth inputs preserve grip.

If visibility is seriously reduced, pull off the road in a safe place, switch on hazard lights and wait for conditions to improve.

In strong winds, grip the wheel firmly and be prepared for gusts when passing large vehicles or exposed bridges.

At an accident scene: protect the scene (hazard lights, warning triangle), call emergency services (911 in Saint Lucia), and give first aid within your competence.

Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger (fire, traffic); suspected spinal injury can be worsened by movement.

DR ABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation - check and act in that order.

To control bleeding, apply firm direct pressure with a clean cloth; do not remove an object embedded in a wound.

For a burn, cool with running water for at least 10 minutes; do not apply ice, butter or ointment.

If a casualty is not breathing, start CPR: 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths at about 100–120 compressions per minute.

Recovery position: place an unconscious but breathing casualty on their side to keep the airway clear.

If your vehicle breaks down, move it off the carriageway, switch on hazard lights and place a warning triangle at least 45 metres behind the vehicle.

In a brake failure, pump the pedal, change to a lower gear and use the handbrake gently; steer for an escape route.