Driving Differences: Belgium vs Fiji for Safe Travel
Discover the unique aspects of road regulations as we compare Belgium and Fiji. Key distinctions include driving on the right in Belgium versus the left in Fiji, varied speed limits, and unique lane usage practices. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either destination.
Lanes
Belgium | Fiji | |
---|---|---|
Driving Side | Right | Left |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. |
Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Yes |
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | 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
belgium:
Right
fiji:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
Overtaking: On Left
belgium:
Yes
fiji:
No
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
fiji:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
belgium:
Use rightmost lane.
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
belgium:
Yes
fiji:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
fiji:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
fiji:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belgium:
Yes
fiji:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Exclusive for bicycles.
fiji:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
fiji:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
fiji:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
fiji:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
fiji:
N/A
Speeds Limits
Belgium | Fiji | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 kph |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30 kph |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 kph |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 70 kph |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 60 kph |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 100 kph |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 90 kph |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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 | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
fiji:
50 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belgium:
30 km/h
fiji:
30 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
fiji:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
fiji:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
fiji:
60 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
fiji:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
fiji:
90 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
fiji:
80 kph
Speed Units
belgium:
km/h
fiji:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
fiji:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
fiji:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Signals
Belgium | Fiji | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used in Fiji |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply |
Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
belgium:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
Belgium | Fiji | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Not allowed. |
U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed only where indicated by signs |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
fiji:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
Documentation
Belgium | Fiji | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | 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
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belgium:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
Belgium | 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
belgium:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
belgium:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
Belgium | Fiji | |
---|---|---|
Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Substantial fines, potential loss of license |
Limits: General Drivers
belgium:
0.05%
fiji:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
fiji:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
Emergency Services
Belgium | Fiji | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | 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
belgium:
112
fiji:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belgium:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
Belgium | Fiji | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; $50 to $500 |
Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | Mandatory; fines can apply |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | Fines apply; obey signals |
Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
Common Fines: Alcohol
belgium:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days