Driving in Australia vs. Vanuatu: Key Differences Explained
Explore the unique road regulations and driving nuances between Australia and Vanuatu. From varying speed limits to distinct lane usage, understanding these key contrasts is vital for ensuring a secure journey. Discover how Australia’s left-side driving and comprehensive traffic signals differ significantly from Vanuatu’s right-side approach and simpler road markings.
Lanes
| Australia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Marks the left edge on divided 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 | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| 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. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| 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 | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Driving Side
australia:
Left
vanuatu:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
vanuatu:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
australia:
Use leftmost lane.
vanuatu:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
australia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
australia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 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 | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
australia:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
australia:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Australia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
vanuatu:
Signal when exiting
Turns
| Australia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Australia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
australia:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Australia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
australia:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Roundabouts
| Australia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
vanuatu:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
vanuatu:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
vanuatu:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Possible; or through police stations |
| 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
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay