Driving in Denmark vs. Vanuatu: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the diverse roads of Denmark and Vanuatu, understanding their unique traffic regulations and practices is essential for safe travel. Key distinctions include Denmark's robust use of bus and cycle lanes, contrasted with Vanuatu's relaxed approach to speed limits and road signage. Equip yourself with this knowledge to ensure a secure journey in both nations.
Lanes
Denmark | Vanuatu | |
---|---|---|
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | 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 bicycles and taxis. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. | 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 or red colored pavement. | N/A |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | 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
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
denmark:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
denmark:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
denmark:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
Denmark | Vanuatu | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 80 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 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, for minor offenses. | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
denmark:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
denmark:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
denmark:
90-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
denmark:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
Denmark | Vanuatu | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green. | Not used in Vanuatu |
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
Traffic Signs: Language | Danish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
denmark:
Used before green.
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
vanuatu:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
Denmark | Vanuatu | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
denmark:
Not allowed
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
vanuatu:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
Denmark | Vanuatu | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | 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 | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | No standard requirement |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
denmark:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
denmark:
Displayed on the windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
Denmark | Vanuatu | |
---|---|---|
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
denmark:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
Denmark | Vanuatu | |
---|---|---|
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; carried out by the police | Occasional |
Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: Underage Drivers
denmark:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
denmark:
Can be substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
denmark:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Roundabouts
Denmark | Vanuatu | |
---|---|---|
Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking any exit other than first | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
vanuatu:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
Denmark | Vanuatu | |
---|---|---|
Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | 112 for general assistance |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
Denmark | Vanuatu | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; can be significant |
Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats | Fines apply |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | Fines apply for use while driving |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | Fines applicable |
Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | Possible; or through police stations |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
vanuatu:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay