Driving in Ecuador vs. Fiji: Key Differences Revealed
When exploring the roads of Ecuador and Fiji, understanding their unique traffic regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on the right in Ecuador versus the left in Fiji, varied speed limits, and the presence of bus lanes in Ecuador. This guide will help you navigate the driving landscape of both nations with confidence.
Lanes
| Ecuador | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| 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. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motor vehicles in some areas. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
ecuador:
Right
fiji:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ecuador:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ecuador:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
Overtaking: On Left
ecuador:
Yes
fiji:
No
Overtaking: On Right
ecuador:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
fiji:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ecuador:
Use rightmost lane.
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
ecuador:
Yes
fiji:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
fiji:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas.
fiji:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ecuador:
Limited
fiji:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Shared with motor vehicles in some areas.
fiji:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
N/A
fiji:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Ecuador | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 60 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 90 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; often applied for traffic violations. | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene |
Urban Areas: Standard
ecuador:
50 km/h
fiji:
50 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ecuador:
30 km/h
fiji:
30 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ecuador:
90 km/h
fiji:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
fiji:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ecuador:
70 km/h
fiji:
60 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ecuador:
100 km/h
fiji:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
fiji:
90 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ecuador:
90 km/h
fiji:
80 kph
Speed Units
ecuador:
km/h
fiji:
kph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ecuador:
Yes; often applied for traffic violations.
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Signals
| Ecuador | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Ecuador | Not used in Fiji |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard. | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with white background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ecuador:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
fiji:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ecuador:
Not used in Ecuador
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ecuador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
ecuador:
N/A
fiji:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
ecuador:
Spanish; symbols are standard.
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ecuador:
Triangle-shaped with white background
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Ecuador | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits. | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal. | Allowed only where indicated by signs |
Right Turn On Red
ecuador:
Prohibited unless a sign permits.
fiji:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
ecuador:
Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal.
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
Documentation
| Ecuador | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection is mandatory | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ecuador:
Annual inspection is mandatory
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ecuador:
Displayed on the windshield.
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ecuador:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Ecuador | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply. | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized. | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations. | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in urban areas. | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
ecuador:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
fiji:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
ecuador:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
fiji:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ecuador:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
fiji:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
ecuador:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
fiji:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
ecuador:
Only in emergency situations.
fiji:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ecuador:
Frequent use in urban areas.
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
Pedestrians Priority
ecuador:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
fiji:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ecuador:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
ecuador:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
fiji:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Ecuador | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability. | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police frequently set up checkpoints. | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; significant fines imposed. | Substantial fines, potential loss of license |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
ecuador:
0.03%
fiji:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ecuador:
0.00%
fiji:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ecuador:
0.00%
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
ecuador:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
fiji:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
ecuador:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
fiji:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
ecuador:
Common; police frequently set up checkpoints.
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
ecuador:
Varies; significant fines imposed.
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
Enforcement: Imprisonment
ecuador:
Possible for severe offenses.
fiji:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
ecuador:
Can result in license suspension.
fiji:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Ecuador | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight. | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
ecuador:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
fiji:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
ecuador:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
fiji:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
ecuador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
fiji:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
ecuador:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
fiji:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
ecuador:
Use for first exit or straight.
fiji:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
ecuador:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
fiji:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Ecuador | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 or 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Use general emergency numbers. | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available through insurance companies or auto clubs. | Contact your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
ecuador:
911 or 112
fiji:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
ecuador:
Use general emergency numbers.
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ecuador:
Available through insurance companies or auto clubs.
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ecuador:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Ecuador | Fiji | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial based on speed. | Varies; $50 to $500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines and possible imprisonment. | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts. | Mandatory; fines can apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; varies by infraction. | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Hefty fines for violations. | Fines apply; obey signals |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; often required. | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties. | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid. | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid. | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
ecuador:
Varies; can be substantial based on speed.
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
Common Fines: Alcohol
ecuador:
Severe fines and possible imprisonment.
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ecuador:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts.
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ecuador:
Fines apply; varies by infraction.
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ecuador:
Hefty fines for violations.
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
Payment: On The Spot
ecuador:
Yes; often required.
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
Payment: Deadline
ecuador:
Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties.
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
Foreign Drivers: Fines
ecuador:
Same as residents; must be paid.
fiji:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
ecuador:
Possible if fines are not paid.
fiji:
Possible if fines are not paid