Driving Differences: China vs Fiji for Safe Travels
When traversing the roads of China and Fiji, drivers must navigate distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences. Notably, China observes right-side driving while Fiji adheres to the left. From speed limits to lane usage, understanding these crucial variances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in these diverse environments.
Lanes
| China | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
china:
Right
fiji:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
Overtaking: On Left
china:
Yes
fiji:
No
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
fiji:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
fiji:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
fiji:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
fiji:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
fiji:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
fiji:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
fiji:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
fiji:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
fiji:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
fiji:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
fiji:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
fiji:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
fiji:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 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 | 70-80 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 60 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 90 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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 | Yes, especially in urban areas | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
fiji:
50 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
fiji:
30 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
fiji:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
china:
70-80 km/h
fiji:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
fiji:
60 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
fiji:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
fiji:
90 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
fiji:
80 kph
Speed Units
china:
km/h
fiji:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
fiji:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
fiji:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Signals
| China | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not used in Fiji |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| China | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Allowed only where indicated by signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
fiji:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
Documentation
| China | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
fiji:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
china:
Displayed on windshield
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
fiji:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Substantial fines, potential loss of license |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
fiji:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
fiji:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
fiji:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
fiji:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
fiji:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
china:
Check with your insurance provider
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; $50 to $500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Mandatory; fines can apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | 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 | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | 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
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
Common Fines: Alcohol
china:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days