Driving in Canada vs. Vanuatu: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Canada and Vanuatu, understanding the distinct driving regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. While Canada features marked lanes and variable speed limits, Vanuatu's simpler road systems prioritize shared spaces for vehicles and cyclists. Discover the vital contrasts that can influence your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Canada | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May indicate passing zones on two-way roads when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not usual; however, allowed in some circumstances when the vehicle in front is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some lanes may allow taxis and cyclists. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be labeled with signs or road marking such as 'BUS' | 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 often green paint. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two occupants | 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
canada:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
canada:
May indicate passing zones on two-way roads when safe.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
canada:
Not usual; however, allowed in some circumstances when the vehicle in front is turning left.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
canada:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
canada:
Reserved for buses; some lanes may allow taxis and cyclists.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
canada:
May be labeled with signs or road marking such as 'BUS'
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
canada:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
canada:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
canada:
Bicycle symbols and often green paint.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
canada:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
canada:
Minimum two occupants
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
canada:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
canada:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Canada | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-110 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 | Yes, but varies by province | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
canada:
40-50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
canada:
40 km/h
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
canada:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
canada:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
canada:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
canada:
100-120 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
canada:
100-120 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
canada:
90-110 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
canada:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
canada:
Electronic signs display current limits
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
canada:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
canada:
Yes, but varies by province
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Canada | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Canada | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bilingual (English and French in some areas); symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
canada:
Not used in Canada
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Traffic Signs: Language
canada:
Bilingual (English and French in some areas); symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Canada | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed in most provinces, unless prohibited by a sign. | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by province and locality; check for signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
canada:
Allowed in most provinces, unless prohibited by a sign.
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
canada:
Varies by province and locality; check for signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Canada | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Mandatory liability insurance | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some provinces | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Insurance
canada:
Mandatory liability insurance
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
canada:
Varies by province; proof may be required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
canada:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some provinces
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Canada | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
canada:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Canada | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%, zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by province; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
canada:
0.08%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
canada:
0.04%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
canada:
0.00%, zero tolerance
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
canada:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
canada:
Varies by province; can be substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
canada:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Canada | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Depends on province; often 911 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or CAA | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| 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
canada:
911
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
canada:
Depends on province; often 911
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
canada:
Check with your insurance provider or CAA
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Canada | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase by km/h over limit | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; often upwards of $200 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Increasingly severe; often $200-$1000 or higher, points on license | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; often hundreds of dollars, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible; or through police stations |
Common Fines: Speeding
canada:
Varies; penalties increase by km/h over limit
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
canada:
Varies; often upwards of $200
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
canada:
Increasingly severe; often $200-$1000 or higher, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
canada:
Varies; often hundreds of dollars, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
canada:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations