Driving in Fiji vs. Japan: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Fiji and Japan, drivers will encounter notable variations in rules and regulations that can impact their travel experience. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol limits and emergency contacts, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a safe journey abroad. Discover how these two unique driving cultures differ to keep you informed and secure on your travels.
Lanes
| Fiji | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Marks the right 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, overtaking is done on the right. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
japan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
japan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
japan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
fiji:
N/A
japan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 kph | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 80 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
japan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
japan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
japan:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
japan:
80 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
japan:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Fiji | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not used in Japan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
japan:
Not used in Japan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
japan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
Turns
| Fiji | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
japan:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Fiji | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory | Mandatory; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
japan:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory
japan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles | Generally used sparingly |
Flashing Lights: Usage
fiji:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
japan:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
japan:
Generally used sparingly
Alcohol
| Fiji | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Prohibited; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common; checkpoints may be set up |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
japan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
japan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Emergency Services
| Fiji | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or JAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
japan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
japan:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; substantial fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Severe fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | Fines; enforceable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | Severe fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | Fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Rare; fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
japan:
Fines; enforceable
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
japan:
Fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days