Driving in Ecuador vs. Vanuatu: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Ecuador and Vanuatu, it's essential to understand their unique regulations and practices. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance. While Ecuador features more structured bus lanes and higher speed limits, Vanuatu emphasizes slower urban speeds and a zero-tolerance approach to underage drinking. Equip yourself with this vital knowledge for a safer journey abroad!
RIGHT
Driving Side
The driving side in ecuador is the Right Side of the road
31
Driving Safety Score
The driving Driving Safety Score in ecuador is 31
0.717 $
Gas Price in USD
The driving Driving Safety Score for ecuador is 0.717 US Dollars
While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.
Lanes
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Ecuador | Vanuatu | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No | |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. | |
| 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. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. | |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. | |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
ecuador:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ecuador:
Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
ecuador:
Limited
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
ecuador:
Shared with motor vehicles in some areas.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ecuador:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ecuador:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Ecuador | Vanuatu | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 50-80 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 50-80 km/h | |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50-80 km/h | |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h | |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 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 | Yes; often applied for traffic violations. | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
ecuador:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ecuador:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ecuador:
70 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
ecuador:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
ecuador:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
ecuador:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ecuador:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
ecuador:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ecuador:
Yes; often applied for traffic violations.
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Ecuador | Vanuatu | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Vanuatu | |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may 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.
vanuatu:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ecuador:
Not used in Ecuador
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ecuador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
vanuatu:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
ecuador:
N/A
vanuatu:
Fines may apply for misuse
Traffic Signs: Language
ecuador:
Spanish; symbols are standard.
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ecuador:
Triangle-shaped with white background
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Ecuador | Vanuatu | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign permits. | Not typically allowed | |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal. | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
ecuador:
Prohibited unless a sign permits.
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
ecuador:
Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal.
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Ecuador | Vanuatu | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory | |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection is mandatory | 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 | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
ecuador:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ecuador:
Annual inspection is mandatory
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ecuador:
Displayed on the windshield.
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ecuador:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Ecuador | Vanuatu | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | Less frequent use compared to some countries | |
| 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 to the side 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.
vanuatu:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
ecuador:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
vanuatu:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
ecuador:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
vanuatu:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
ecuador:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
vanuatu:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
ecuador:
Only in emergency situations.
vanuatu:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ecuador:
Frequent use in urban areas.
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
ecuador:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
vanuatu:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ecuador:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
ecuador:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
vanuatu:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
When exploring the roads of Ecuador and Vanuatu, it's essential to understand their unique regulations and practices. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance. While Ecuador features more structured bus lanes and higher speed limits, Vanuatu emphasizes slower urban speeds and a zero-tolerance approach to underage drinking. Equip yourself with this vital knowledge for a safer journey abroad!
Alcohol
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Ecuador | Vanuatu | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% | |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% | |
| 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. | Occasional | |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; significant fines imposed. | Fines can be substantial | |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses. | Possible for severe offenses | |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
ecuador:
0.03%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
ecuador:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
ecuador:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
ecuador:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
vanuatu:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
ecuador:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
vanuatu:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
ecuador:
Common; police frequently set up checkpoints.
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
ecuador:
Varies; significant fines imposed.
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
ecuador:
Possible for severe offenses.
vanuatu:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
ecuador:
Can result in license suspension.
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Roundabouts
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Ecuador | Vanuatu | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
vanuatu:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
ecuador:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
vanuatu:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
ecuador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
vanuatu:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
ecuador:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
vanuatu:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
ecuador:
Use for first exit or straight.
vanuatu:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
ecuador:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
vanuatu:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Ecuador | Vanuatu | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 or 112 | 112 | |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Use general emergency numbers. | 112 for general assistance | |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available through insurance companies or auto clubs. | 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
ecuador:
911 or 112
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ecuador:
Use general emergency numbers.
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ecuador:
Available through insurance companies or auto clubs.
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ecuador:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ecuador:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...Small text specific to the section aboe, explaining the main ...
| Ecuador | Vanuatu | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial based on speed. | Varies; can be significant | |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines and possible imprisonment. | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts. | Fines apply | |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; varies by infraction. | Fines apply for use while driving | |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Hefty fines for violations. | Fines applicable | |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; often required. | Possible; or through police stations | |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties. | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | |
| 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.
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
ecuador:
Severe fines and possible imprisonment.
vanuatu:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ecuador:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts.
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
ecuador:
Fines apply; varies by infraction.
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ecuador:
Hefty fines for violations.
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
ecuador:
Yes; often required.
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
ecuador:
Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties.
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
ecuador:
Same as residents; must be paid.
vanuatu:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
ecuador:
Possible if fines are not paid.
vanuatu:
Possible if fines are not paid