Driving in Bhutan vs. Fiji: Safety Tips for Travelers
When comparing the road regulations of Bhutan and Fiji, distinct variations emerge that impact driving experiences and safety. From speed limits to lane markings, both nations showcase unique traffic norms. Understanding these contrasts can ensure a safer and more enjoyable journey in either country, emphasizing the importance of adapting to local driving customs..
Lanes
| Bhutan | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bhutan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
fiji:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
fiji:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 60 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 90 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
fiji:
50 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
fiji:
30 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
fiji:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
fiji:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
fiji:
60 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
fiji:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
fiji:
90 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
fiji:
80 kph
Speed Units
bhutan:
km/h
fiji:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
fiji:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
fiji:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Signals
| Bhutan | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Not used in Fiji |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bhutan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
Turns
| Bhutan | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed only where indicated by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
fiji:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Substantial fines, potential loss of license |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
fiji:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Contact your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
fiji:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; $50 to $500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Mandatory; fines can apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply; obey signals |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days