Driving Differences: Estonia vs Vanuatu Explained
When venturing abroad, understanding the road regulations is crucial for safe travels. This comparison highlights the driving landscape between Estonia and Vanuatu, showcasing significant contrasts in lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol regulations. Whether navigating bus lanes in Estonia or sharing the road with cyclists in Vanuatu, being informed enhances your overall driving experience.
Lanes
| Estonia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often 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 colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
estonia:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
estonia:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
estonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
estonia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
estonia:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Estonia | 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 | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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 | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
estonia:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
estonia:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
estonia:
80-90 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
estonia:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
estonia:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
estonia:
Yes
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Estonia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Estonia | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Estonian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
estonia:
Yellow
vanuatu:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Traffic Signs: Language
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Estonia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Estonia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required every year; proof must be carried | 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 |
Insurance
estonia:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
estonia:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Estonia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
estonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Estonia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 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 | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
estonia:
0.02%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
estonia:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
estonia:
Common; checkpoints used
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
estonia:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Estonia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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: Traffic Police
estonia:
112
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
estonia:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
estonia:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Estonia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines apply | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
estonia:
Yes
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay