Latin countries have their own particular driving style and the Bay Islands are no exception.

We hope that the following information will help you to adapt to this new environment and keep you safe. Some island drivers drive safely but others are completely reckless, including some gringos who have been here too long. There are no exams, written or otherwise, to obtain a driver’s license and no mandatory driving courses are required. All you need is a photo and payment of the fee. This explains a lot!

Here are a few of the customs that have been observed over many months. Chances are that you will not encounter any of these behaviors if you are here for a week or two. However, if you know that it can happen, you may be able to guard against it.

Beware of vehicles with no breaking lights. This is especially treacherous with taxis that stop unexpectedly and abruptly at the most unexpected time.

There are many blind curves and hills on Roatan. Some people think nothing of passing on curves and while going uphill. The center line seems to hold quite a fascination with certain drivers who think that they need to align the center of their car with it. It is a good idea to honk when entering a blind curve to make it known that you are coming, especially if you are riding a scooter.

While on the topic of driving a scooter, also be wary of patches of sand and gravel that appear at regular intervals on all roads. The rainy season also brings a lot of water, as well as run-down mud. A lot of vehicles leak oil so chances are there is a layer of oil floating on the water when it rains. This makes roads very slippery, especially if you are on two wheels. Remember that excessive rain on a previously heated black top can easily cause hydro-planning.

If you are a lady driving a scooter, you will notice that Latin men are very vocal about your circulation on the roads; do not worry, it is not because something is wrong with you or your scooter. This can be quite distracting at times, as one may truly wonder if they are in some kind of distress. Trust me, they are not!

If you are a tourist renting a scooter for the first time, it is a good idea to learn how to use the brake BEFORE learning how to use the gas handle, and to get your balance before you allow someone to sit behind you.

Interestingly, there is not really enough space to make U-turns on the roads, but that definitely does not stop drivers from trying in the most unexpected places!

Buses and taxis often stop on short notice to pick up passengers anywhere on roads. Some are courteous and try to move out of the way; others do not and they do not care if there is enough space for you to stop or not. So don’t follow them too closely. You may also find them stopped at the most unexpected locations, including in blind spots, uphill or downhill, curves, etc. Also watch out for big trucks with untrained drivers trying to operate them. Some drivers consider passing a scooter as a personal challenge and a goal that needs to be achieved at all costs.

Island dogs are often oblivious of traffic and like to walk, lie down or stand in the middle of the road. You may have t honk to make them move. It seems a lot of them have only partial hearing as the honking makes them jump because they haven't heard you before.

Small traffic jams are common. Scooters are a good way of circumventing them. Two drivers going in opposite directions will often stop in the middle of the road to have a chat with no second thought about the people following them. It doesn't matter to them whether there is an ambulance or a fire truck in the backlog. They own the road and they will stay there until some major collective honking snaps them out of it!