7.1 Stopping, Waiting and Parking Rules
Key Takeaways
Do not stop within 10 metres of any corner, pedestrian crossing or bus stop, and do not wait within 10 metres of, or opposite, an omnibus stopping place (regs. 31(9)(a) and 96).
Draw up only on the left side of the road in your direction of travel, except in a one-way street or when a police officer directs otherwise (reg. 31(12)).
Do not wait on any curve or bend, on a footpath, in a bus lay-by (unless driving a bus) or alongside another vehicle (regs. 97, 31(10) and 31(9)(b)).
Before leaving the vehicle, stop the engine and apply the brake; never leave it where it is likely to cause danger or obstruction (reg. 31(3) and s.89).
Parking in a designated disabled space without a valid BLA permit is an offence, and the 2025 amendment raised the fine to BBD $5,000 (s.88A).
Badly placed vehicles cause collisions and block traffic. Barbados law therefore sets clear rules on where you may stop, how you draw up, and what you must do before you leave a vehicle.
Where you must not stop or wait
| Rule | Source |
|---|---|
| Do not stop within 10 metres of any corner, pedestrian crossing or bus stop, unless compelled by traffic | reg. 31(9)(a) |
| Do not let a vehicle (other than an omnibus or minibus) wait or remain stationary within 10 metres of, or opposite, an omnibus or minibus stopping place | reg. 96 |
| Do not draw up alongside another motor vehicle (double-parking), or reverse to the kerb, except to turn, when directed by police, or to park beside the kerb | reg. 31(9)(b) |
| Do not draw up in a bus lay-by unless you are driving an omnibus or minibus | reg. 31(10)(a) |
| Do not drive, ride or leave any vehicle on a footpath | reg. 31(10)(b) |
| Do not wait on any curve or bend, including curves marked with lines, metallic eyes or studs | reg. 97 |
| Do not stop or wait on the Spring Garden Highway | Spring Garden Highway Regulations, 1983 |
| Do not park so as to obstruct the passage of vehicles or other traffic | reg. 100 and reg. 31(10)(c) |
| Do not stop within the limits of a pedestrian crossing | reg. 115(4) |
How to draw up
- Left side only. Draw up only at the left side of the road in the direction you are facing, unless a uniformed police officer directs otherwise or you are in a one-way street (reg. 31(12)).
- Close to the left. When stopping, draw up as close as possible to the left side to leave a clear way for passing traffic (reg. 31(15)(a)).
- Move when asked. Move the vehicle at once when a uniformed police officer considers it an obstruction, and move it if it blocks access to premises and the occupier asks you to (reg. 31(15)(a) and (b)).
- Not for too long. Do not leave a vehicle drawn up on a public road for an undue length of time, having regard to traffic (reg. 31(15)(c)).
Restricted places and parking places (Part XI)
- A restricted place is any place shown by traffic signs to be a place where parking is restricted. During the hours specified, you may wait there only to pick up or set down passengers, or, in a goods vehicle or cart, to load or unload goods. Even then you must not wait longer than necessary, and a goods vehicle or cart may wait no more than 1 hour (reg. 94).
- In a parking place, obey the signs on the number of vehicles, time limits, position and fees (reg. 98). Park within the marked lines or studs (reg. 99), and follow the directions of a uniformed police officer or traffic warden, who may move your vehicle whether or not you are present (reg. 92).
- The Commissioner may close a parking place, or waive a restriction, for a procession, meeting or other good reason (regs. 93 and 95).
- Parking on a restricted place and causing unnecessary obstruction each carry 2 demerit points.
Disabled parking (s.88A)
Added by the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2017-26:
- No driver may stop, stand or park in a space designated by a disabled-parking sign unless the vehicle prominently displays a valid disabled parking permit issued by the Licensing Authority.
- No driver may stop, stand or park so as to block a dropped kerb, unless picking up or setting down a passenger with a disability, or at a residential dropped kerb with the occupant's consent.
- The fine was BBD $500, and the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 2025 (passed in January 2025) raised it to BBD $5,000.
Leaving the vehicle
- Engine off and brake on. Before quitting the vehicle, the driver must stop the engine and apply the emergency (hand) brake (reg. 31(3)).
- Doors. No one may open a door on a road so as to cause injury or danger to a person, or damage to a vehicle, passing on the right (reg. 37). Look in the mirror and over your shoulder before opening a door, and tell passengers to get out on the kerb side.
- Dangerous position. Under section 89 of the Act, no one in charge of a vehicle may let it, or its trailer, remain stationary on a road "in such a position, in such condition or in such circumstances, as to be likely to cause danger or obstruction." The driver must show its presence by lighting or otherwise and take immediate steps to have it removed as near as possible to the left-hand side of the road. The police or the Chief Technical Officer may order or arrange its removal at the owner's expense. The penalty is a fine of BBD $200 or 3 months.
Parking on a hill
When you park on a slope, apply the handbrake firmly and leave the vehicle in a low gear (or "Park" in an automatic). Facing downhill beside a kerb, turn the front wheels towards the kerb. Facing uphill beside a kerb, turn them away from it, so that if the vehicle rolls back the wheel stops against the kerb.
Parked at night
A vehicle stationary on a road at night must show two white lights at the front and two red lights at the rear (reg. 22(10)), unless it is in a place the Commissioner of Police has exempted (reg. 26). See 7.2 for the night-time hours.
How close to a bus stop may you stop your car, unless traffic compels you to?
No closer than 10 metres
No closer than 15 metres
No closer than 5 metres
Right beside it if you are quick
On a two-way street, where may you draw up your car?
On whichever side has a free space
Only on the left side, in your direction of travel
On the footpath if the road is narrow
On the right side if you are only stopping very briefly
What must a driver do before getting out and leaving the vehicle?
Switch on the hazard lights only
Stop the engine and apply the handbrake
Leave the vehicle in neutral with the handbrake off
Leave the engine running so the vehicle is ready
Sections you finish are checked off in the contents.