Driving in Fiji vs France: Key Safety Differences
Discover the essential distinctions in vehicle regulations and road practices between Fiji and France. Understanding these contrasts can significantly enhance your travel experience and ensure your safety on foreign roads. From speed limits to lane usage, learn how these two countries differ in their approaches to driving and road etiquette.
Lanes
| Fiji | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; 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
france:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
france:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
france:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
france:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
france:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
france:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 30 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 | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 90 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 | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
france:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
france:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
france:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
france:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
france:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
france:
90 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
france:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Fiji | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not used in France |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
france:
Not used in France
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
fiji:
Signal when exiting
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
france:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
france:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Fiji | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
france:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Fiji | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
france:
Accepted for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
france:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Fiji | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
france:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
france:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
france:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
france:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Fiji | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering if turning right |
Signaling: Entering
fiji:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
Emergency Services
| Fiji | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | 17 or through local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
france:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
france:
17 or through local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
france:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
france:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | €135 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | €135 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | €135 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; typically 45 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
france:
€135
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
france:
€135
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
france:
€135
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay