Driving in Fiji vs. New Zealand: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Fiji and New Zealand, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experience. Key disparities include lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol thresholds, emphasizing the importance of understanding local rules for a secure journey. Stay informed to ensure your safety while driving abroad!
Lanes
| Fiji | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during certain hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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 green pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| 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.
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
new zealand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
fiji:
N/A
new zealand:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 kph | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 100 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 | No; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
new zealand:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
new zealand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
new zealand:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
new zealand:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
new zealand:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
new zealand:
90 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
new zealand:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
new zealand:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Fiji | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not used in New Zealand |
| 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 |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
fiji:
Signal when exiting
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
new zealand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Turns
| Fiji | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
new zealand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Fiji | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory | Regular inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
fiji:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Fiji | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| 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 | Substantial fines, can vary widely |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and other penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
new zealand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
new zealand:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
new zealand:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
Test Refusal
fiji:
Can result in license suspension
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
Roundabouts
| Fiji | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
fiji:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
Emergency Services
| Fiji | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | 111 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
new zealand:
111
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
new zealand:
111
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | New zealand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; $30 to $630, 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 | $150, points may also apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | $150, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | No; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
new zealand:
$150, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay