Driving Differences: Fiji vs. Iceland for Safe Travel
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving practices between Fiji and Iceland. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol thresholds, each nation presents unique guidelines aimed at ensuring safety on their roads. Understanding these distinctions is vital for a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Fiji | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
fiji:
Left
iceland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
iceland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
iceland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
fiji:
List length: 5
iceland:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
iceland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
iceland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
iceland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 on gravel roads |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 90 km/h on paved roads |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 kph | 80 km/h on paved roads |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | kph | km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
iceland:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
iceland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
iceland:
80 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
iceland:
km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
iceland:
Yes
Signals
| Fiji | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | N/A |
| 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; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | N/A |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Icelandic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
iceland:
N/A
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
fiji:
Signal when exiting
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
fiji:
Fines may apply for misuse
iceland:
N/A
Hand Signals: Common Usage
fiji:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Fiji | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
iceland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Fiji | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
iceland:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory
iceland:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Fiji | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
iceland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
iceland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
iceland:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Test Refusal
fiji:
Can result in license suspension
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Fiji | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
fiji:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
fiji:
Signal right when preparing to exit
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Fiji | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Contact local towing services or insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
iceland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
iceland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
iceland:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame