Driving Differences: Australia vs. Samoa
When navigating the roads of Australia and Samoa, drivers must be aware of significant distinctions that impact their travel experience. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol regulations, each country has unique rules that ensure safe journeys. Understanding these contrasts will help travelers adapt to unfamiliar conditions while prioritizing their well-being on the road.
Lanes
| Australia | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| 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.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
samoa:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
samoa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
australia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
australia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
samoa:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
samoa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
australia:
50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
samoa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Australia | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in Samoa |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
samoa:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Turns
| Australia | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Australia | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Australia | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
australia:
0.05%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Australia | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| 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
samoa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
samoa:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay