Driving Differences: Chile vs. Vanuatu Safety Tips
Discover the unique aspects of driving in Chile and Vanuatu with our comprehensive comparison. While Chile boasts strict lane regulations and higher speed limits, Vanuatu offers a more relaxed approach with lower urban speeds and fewer designated lanes. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable driving experience in either country.
Lanes
| Chile | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead 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 and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked 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 sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
chile:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
chile:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
chile:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Chile | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
chile:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
chile:
40 km/h
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
chile:
120 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
chile:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
chile:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
chile:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
chile:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Chile | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Chile | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
chile:
Not used in Chile
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
vanuatu:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Chile | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Chile | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Insurance
chile:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
chile:
Required annually
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
chile:
Displayed on windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Chile | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
chile:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Chile | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
chile:
0.03%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
chile:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
chile:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Roundabouts
| Chile | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
vanuatu:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Chile | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 133 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 or 139 on mobile phones | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services | 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: General Emergency
chile:
133
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
chile:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
chile:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Chile | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for non-use | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free technology | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, includes license suspension | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
vanuatu:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay