Driving in Fiji vs. Portugal: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Fiji and Portugal, travelers will encounter notable distinctions in traffic regulations and norms. From the contrasting driving sides—left in Fiji and right in Portugal—to varying speed limits and lane usage, understanding these driving practices is essential for ensuring a safe journey abroad. Discover the key facets that set these two countries apart.
Lanes
| Fiji | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Prohibited. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; 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: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
fiji:
Left
portugal:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
portugal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
portugal:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
portugal:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
portugal:
Prohibited.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
portugal:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
portugal:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
portugal:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
portugal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
fiji:
N/A
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 kph | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 120 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 | Possible |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
portugal:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
portugal:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
portugal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
portugal:
90 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
portugal:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Fiji | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not used in Portugal |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
portugal:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Fiji | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Fiji | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
portugal:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Fiji | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Fiji | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
portugal:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; €60 to €2,500, 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 | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
portugal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay