Driving Differences: Austria vs. Vanuatu Explained
Exploring the roads of Austria and Vanuatu reveals intriguing contrasts in vehicular regulations and safety practices. While Austria boasts well-defined lane markings and strict speed limits, Vanuatu offers a more relaxed approach to road sharing and enforcement. Understanding these distinctions is essential for a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Austria | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| 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. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
austria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 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 | 70-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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; fines may also be mailed. | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
austria:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Austria | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| 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.
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
vanuatu:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Austria | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Austria | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but 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
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
austria:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
austria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Austria | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
austria:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Austria | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay