Driving in Fiji vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for a safe journey. This comparison between Fiji and Norway reveals significant contrasts in driving practices, such as the side of the road traveled, speed limits, and lane usage. Familiarizing yourself with these distinctions can enhance your driving experience and ensure compliance with local rules.
Lanes
| Fiji | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| 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' 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 colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
fiji:
Left
norway:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
norway:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
norway:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
norway:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
norway:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
fiji:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 30-50 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 | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | 90-100 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 | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
norway:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
norway:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
norway:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
norway:
80 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
norway:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Fiji | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not used in Norway |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
norway:
Not used in Norway
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
norway:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Fiji | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Fiji | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with a national driving license |
| 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 | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | None |
| 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
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory
norway:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Fiji | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Emergency Services
| Fiji | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay