Driving in Fiji vs. Paraguay: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roadways of Fiji and Paraguay, travelers will encounter notable distinctions in driving regulations, lane usage, and speed limits. From Fiji's left-side driving to Paraguay's emphasis on right turns, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey. Equip yourself with this crucial knowledge before hitting the road in either destination.
Lanes
| Fiji | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| 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 Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Rarely, usually prohibited. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, mainly in urban areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited, mainly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color. |
Driving Side
fiji:
Left
paraguay:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
paraguay:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
paraguay:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
paraguay:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
paraguay:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
paraguay:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 40 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 | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 80-90 km/h |
| Speed Units | kph | km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
paraguay:
40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
paraguay:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
paraguay:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
paraguay:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
paraguay:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
paraguay:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
paraguay:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
paraguay:
80-90 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
paraguay:
km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
fiji:
Yes
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
paraguay:
Common
Signals
| Fiji | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not used in Paraguay |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; standard symbols used as well |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
paraguay:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
Traffic Signs: Warning
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Fiji | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Allowed where not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Fiji | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory
paraguay:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles | More frequent than in 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 | Pull over to allow passage |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
Pedestrians Priority
fiji:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
Alcohol
| Fiji | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; police checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
paraguay:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
paraguay:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
paraguay:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Fiji | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
paraguay:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
paraguay:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
paraguay:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
paraguay:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | Paraguay | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | Fines apply; amount varies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | Substantial fines and penalties |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; usually within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
paraguay:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days