Driving in Fiji vs India: Key Safety Differences
Delving into the road regulations of Fiji and India reveals fascinating contrasts in their driving environments. While Fiji emphasizes clearer lane markings and lower speed limits, India accommodates bus lanes and diverse cultural norms. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience behind the wheel in both nations.
Lanes
| Fiji | India | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Right | Yes | Yes, but only when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some metropolitan areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
india:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
india:
Yes, in some areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
india:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
india:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 kph | 60-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 60-80 km/h |
| Speed Units | kph | km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities and highways |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
india:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
india:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
india:
60-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
india:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
india:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
india:
60-80 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
india:
km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
fiji:
Yes
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
india:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Fiji | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not used in India |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common due to varied vehicle conditions |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | English and local languages; 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
india:
Not used in India
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
fiji:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
india:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Fiji | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
Left Turn: General
fiji:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Fiji | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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 | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | PUC sticker displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles | Frequent use compared to other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass |
Use Of Horn: Limited
fiji:
Only in emergency situations
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
Pedestrians Priority
fiji:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
Alcohol
| Fiji | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Varies by state; fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
india:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
india:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
india:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
fiji:
Can result in license suspension
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Fiji | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
fiji:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
fiji:
Signal right when preparing to exit
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Fiji | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
india:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
india:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay