Driving in Belgium vs. Vanuatu: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Belgium and Vanuatu, drivers encounter distinct rules and practices that shape their experiences. Key contrasts include lane markings, speed limits, and the presence of bus and cycle lanes. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure journey in each unique environment.
Lanes
| Belgium | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | 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
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
belgium:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
belgium:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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 | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
120 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
belgium:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
belgium:
Electronic signs display current limits
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
belgium:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Belgium | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used in Vanuatu |
| 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
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Belgium | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Belgium | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | 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
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
belgium:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belgium:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Belgium | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
belgium:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Belgium | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: Underage Drivers
belgium:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
belgium:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | 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
belgium:
101
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belgium:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine of around 50 EUR | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay