Driving Differences: Austria vs. Fiji Explained
When navigating the roads of Austria and Fiji, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly impact their travel experience. From driving on different sides of the road to varying speed limits and unique traffic signals, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring safe journeys abroad. Explore the driving nuances between these two captivating destinations.
Lanes
| Austria | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
austria:
Right
fiji:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
Overtaking: On Left
austria:
Yes
fiji:
No
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
fiji:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
austria:
Use rightmost lane.
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
fiji:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
fiji:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
fiji:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
fiji:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
austria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
fiji:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
fiji:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
fiji:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
fiji:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
fiji:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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; fines may also be mailed. | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
fiji:
50 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
fiji:
30 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
fiji:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
fiji:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
fiji:
60 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
fiji:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
fiji:
90 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
fiji:
80 kph
Speed Units
austria:
km/h
fiji:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
fiji:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
fiji:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Signals
| Austria | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | 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 Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
fiji:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
austria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Austria | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed only where indicated by signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
fiji:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
Documentation
| Austria | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
austria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Austria | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Substantial fines, potential loss of license |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
fiji:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
fiji:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
Emergency Services
| Austria | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Contact your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
austria:
112
fiji:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; $50 to $500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Mandatory; fines can apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply; obey signals |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days