Driving in Fiji vs. The Netherlands: Key Differences
When comparing the roads of Fiji and the Netherlands, distinct nuances in regulations and practices emerge. Notably, Fiji drives on the left while the Netherlands adheres to right-side navigation. Furthermore, varying speed limits, lane usage, and traffic signals emphasize the importance of understanding these vital distinctions for a safe journey abroad.
Lanes
| Fiji | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| 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', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; 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 often distinct red coloring. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
fiji:
Left
netherlands:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | 80-100 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, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
netherlands:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
netherlands:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
netherlands:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Fiji | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not used in Netherlands |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Dutch; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
netherlands:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Turns
| Fiji | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Fiji | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Fiji | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Fiji | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
Signaling: Entering
fiji:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Emergency Services
| Fiji | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; can be significant, 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 | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required