Cheat sheet

Only the rules that differ from the UK, or that are phrased in a way a UK driver would read wrong. Rule numbers refer to the Bermuda Traffic Code Handbook (Sept 2015).

The Big Five

Five rules the test hammers on. Drill these first — everything else is polish.

Rule 10#

Unmarked junction → give way to the LEFT

The single most-tested item on the paper, and the single most counter-intuitive rule for a UK driver.

United Kingdom
Give way to the right.
Bermuda
Give way to the LEFT.

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Note#

Roundabout → give way to the RIGHT

Same as the UK. Examiners love pairing this with Rule 10 on back-to-back questions to catch the mix-up.

Note#

Speed limits are in km/h

National 35 km/h. St. George's / Dockyard / Airport 25. Somerset Bridge / Hamilton Wharf 15. St. George's Wharf 8.

The paper will offer '35 mph' as a decoy — don't bite.

Note#

Drink-drive limit: 80 mg / 100 ml

Same as England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Only different if your reference point is Scotland (50 mg).

Rule 53#

'Filter' means turning LEFT

At a police-controlled junction, 'filter' is the officer's instruction to make a left turn. It is not lane-splitting. Only filter when waved through.

United Kingdom
Filtering means threading through stopped traffic.
Bermuda
Filtering means turning LEFT at the junction.

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Overtaking

Right-side by default. Four places it's banned. Four exceptions on the left.

Rules 39, 42#

Overtake on the RIGHT

Default rule: overtake on the right, unless the driver ahead has signalled right. Not in one-way streets.

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Note#

Never overtake at any of these four spots

A corner or bend.

The brow of a hill.

A crossroads.

A pedestrian crossing.

Note#

The four times you MAY overtake on the LEFT

1. The driver in front has signalled right and there is room on the left.

2. A two-lane system where the right lane is slower.

3. Turning left at a 'STOP, EXCEPT LEFT TURN' sign.

4. One-way systems.

Markings & Lights

Note#

Yellow centre line = DO NOT OVERTAKE

Tested verbatim. Don't pick the 'watch for horses' decoy.

Note#

Single solid white — may cross to overtake if safe

Note#

Single solid yellow — should not cross; must not park opposite

Exceptions: passing a stationary vehicle, or overtaking a cycle / horse / maintenance vehicle travelling at ≤ 15 km/h.

Note#

Double solid white — must not cross, must not park opposite

Note#

Double yellow kerb — no waiting at any time

Note#

Red + amber = STOP (not 'get ready')

Do not move until green. This is the most-missed light-phrasing question.

Note#

Steady amber = stop

Unless you are already past the line, or you cannot pull up safely.

Note#

Flashing amber at a crossing = STOP

Pedestrians have priority.

The Four-Way Stop

A rule that doesn't exist in the UK.

Note#

First to arrive, first to move

A complete stop is required — no rolling. Ties are resolved by eye contact and courtesy, not by a fixed right-hand rule.

Verbatim Phrases

The test rewards the exact wording. Memorise these like song lyrics.

Note#

'Right of way'

'May go after checking it is safe to do so.'

Rule 67#

The horn grants ZERO right of way

For safety only. Illegal to sound between midnight and 6am.

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Note#

Observation → Signal → Manoeuvre

Horn & Radio Hours

One rule covers both. The radio half is bundled in — easy to skim past.

Rule 66b#

Midnight – 6 a.m.: horn AND radio banned entirely

Applies to both. The handbook bundles them into the same rule, which is why the radio restriction catches people out.

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Rule 66b#

6 a.m. – midnight: allowed, but not audible beyond 30 feet

Same 30-foot audibility cap for the horn and the radio.

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Sign Shapes

Shapes match the UK. The only gotcha is that parking signs count as information — so they're rectangular.

Note#

Circular = orders

Red border = prohibition. Blue = instruction.

Note#

Triangular = warning

Note#

Rectangular = information

Includes parking signs — common trick answer.

Quirks That Catch People Out

Edge rules that don't fit anywhere else, but reliably show up on the paper.

Note#

Hazard lights: NOT while driving

The only exception is indicating your presence in dangerous circumstances — the handbook's worked example is driving through a flood. Stricter than UK habit.

United Kingdom
A quick tap to thank, warn of slowing traffic, or while parked awkwardly.
Bermuda
Not while driving. Danger-presence only.
Rule 31#

Projecting loads — red cloth by day, red lamp by night

Anything sticking out behind the vehicle must be marked.

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Rule 26#

Passing animals — switch off the motor if signalled

Not just slow down. If the rider or handler signals, kill the engine.

Practice this

Rule 47#

Don't turn where you can't be seen within 200 feet

Applies to turning your vehicle on a curve or brow of a hill.

Practice this

Rule 48#

U-turns — avoid if possible

If unavoidable, give way to all other traffic.

Note#

Don't overtake when approaching a speed hump

Deadlines & Validity

Straight-memorise admin numbers. Tested as plain multiple-choice.

Note#

Report an accident within 24 hours

If you did not give your details at the scene.

Note#

Produce insurance to police within 7 days

Note#

Visitor residency threshold — 30 days

A visitor must have resided in Bermuda for 30 days before applying for a Bermuda licence.

Note#

Licence validity

10 years standard · 5 years for ages 65–74 · 2 years for 75+.

Numbers & Trivia

Note#

Read a number plate at 90 feet (27.5 m)

The eyesight standard.

Note#

Hamilton street parking — 2 hours

The default, unless signed otherwise.

Note#

Following distance — two seconds

Four seconds in the wet or in poor light. More behind buses, trailers and large vehicles. Bermuda uses time, not car-lengths.

Note#

Average reaction time — 0.7 seconds

Note#

Thinking distance (feet) = speed (mph)

Yes, mph — the handbook switches units for this one calculation.

Note#

Steering — 'ten to two' or 'quarter to three'

The handbook still lists both. Either is the correct answer on the paper.

Note#

Crash-repeat stats

Any accident in the last 3 years → 2× more likely in the next 3. At-fault accident → 4× more likely to have a similar one in the next year.

Note#

Pillion passenger

One passenger, proper seat, both feet on footrests. No age rule — the '14+' figure is for seat belts in cars; don't conflate them.

Note#

Non-residents can't drive four-wheeled vehicles

Which is why the handbook is so bike-heavy.

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Twenty questions with explanations on every answer.

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