Driving Differences: Australia vs. Fiji for Safe Travel
When navigating the roads of Australia and Fiji, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and overtaking rules. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and pleasant journey in either country. Stay informed and drive safely abroad!
Lanes
| Australia | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
fiji:
No
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
fiji:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
fiji:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
fiji:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
fiji:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
fiji:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
australia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
fiji:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
australia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
fiji:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
fiji:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
fiji:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
fiji:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
fiji:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 90 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene |
Urban Areas: Standard
australia:
50 km/h
fiji:
50 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
fiji:
30 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
fiji:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
fiji:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
fiji:
60 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
fiji:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
fiji:
90 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
fiji:
80 kph
Speed Units
australia:
km/h
fiji:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
fiji:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
fiji:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Signals
| Australia | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in Fiji |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
fiji:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
australia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
Turns
| Australia | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Allowed only where indicated by signs |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
fiji:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
Documentation
| Australia | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
australia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
Alcohol
| Australia | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Substantial fines, potential loss of license |
Limits: General Drivers
australia:
0.05%
fiji:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
fiji:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
Roundabouts
| Australia | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
fiji:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
fiji:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
fiji:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Contact your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
fiji:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; $50 to $500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | Mandatory; fines can apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Fines apply; obey signals |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
Common Fines: Alcohol
australia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days