Driving in Fiji vs Qatar: Key Safety Differences
When comparing Fijian and Qatari road regulations, notable distinctions emerge in driving orientation, speed limits, and lane usage. While Fiji adheres to a left-side driving system, Qatar operates on the right. Understanding these key variations is essential for ensuring a secure and informed journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Fiji | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are 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 authorized vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| 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. |
Driving Side
fiji:
Left
qatar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
qatar:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
qatar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
qatar:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
qatar:
Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
qatar:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
qatar:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
qatar:
Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
qatar:
Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
qatar:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
qatar:
Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
qatar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
fiji:
N/A
qatar:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
qatar:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 60-80 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 kph | 80 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 | 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
qatar:
60-80 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
qatar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
qatar:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
qatar:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
qatar:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
qatar:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
qatar:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
qatar:
80 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
qatar:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
qatar:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
qatar:
Yes
Signals
| Fiji | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not used in Qatar |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
qatar:
Not used in Qatar
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
qatar:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
qatar:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Fiji | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
qatar:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
qatar:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Fiji | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory | Annual inspection required |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
qatar:
Annual inspection required
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
qatar:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
qatar:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Fiji | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| 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 | Can be substantial; penalties are severe |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
qatar:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
qatar:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
qatar:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
qatar:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
qatar:
Can be substantial; penalties are severe
Emergency Services
| Fiji | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | 999 or local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or contact private services |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
qatar:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
qatar:
999 or local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
qatar:
Check with your insurance provider or contact private services
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; can be substantial, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | Minimum 500 QR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | Minimum 500 QR, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Yes, or online payment options |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
qatar:
Varies; can be substantial, point system applies
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
qatar:
Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR, point system applies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
qatar:
Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
qatar:
Yes, or online payment options
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
qatar:
Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties