Driving in Afghanistan vs. Vanuatu: Key Differences
Driving in Afghanistan and Vanuatu reveals intriguing contrasts in road regulations and safety practices. From varying speed limits to unique lane markings, each country has its own approach to ensuring safe travel. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for a secure journey abroad, especially for those navigating unfamiliar terrain.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
afghanistan:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Afghanistan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Afghanistan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
afghanistan:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
afghanistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
afghanistan:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
vanuatu:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay