Driving in Fiji vs. Finland: Key Differences Explained
Discover the unique driving landscapes of Fiji and Finland as we delve into their distinct road rules and regulations. From the contrasting sides of the road to varying speed limits and unique lane usages, this comparison highlights essential safety considerations for travelers. Understanding these nuances is crucial for a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Fiji | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
fiji:
Left
finland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
finland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
finland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
finland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
finland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
finland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
finland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
finland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
finland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
finland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
finland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 kph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 80-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | kph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
finland:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
finland:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
finland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
finland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
finland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
finland:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
finland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
finland:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
finland:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
finland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
finland:
Yes
Signals
| Fiji | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
finland:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
finland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
Turns
| Fiji | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not generally allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
finland:
Not generally allowed
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
finland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Fiji | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory for certain situations |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory
finland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
finland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
finland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Fiji | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
finland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
finland:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
finland:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
fiji:
Can result in license suspension
finland:
Results in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Fiji | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | Contact through 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory, recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory, recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
finland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
finland:
Contact through 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | Finland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; fines based on income |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | Fines apply, typically €85 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | Fines apply, typically €100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Possible; usually drive must pay later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
finland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
finland:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
finland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay