Driving in Fiji vs. Russia: Key Differences Explained
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road rules is crucial for safety. This comparison between Fiji and Russia reveals stark contrasts in driving practices, from side of the road to speed limits. While Fiji mandates left-side driving, Russia allows for right-side navigation, presenting unique challenges for drivers in each locale.
Lanes
| Fiji | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided 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 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 taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
fiji:
Left
russia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
russia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
russia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
russia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
russia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
russia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
russia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
russia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 kph | 70-80 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 | 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 | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
russia:
90 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
russia:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Fiji | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not used in Russia |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
russia:
Not used in Russia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
russia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Fiji | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Fiji | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| 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
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory
russia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
russia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
russia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Fiji | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.035% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common, especially in cities |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
russia:
0.035%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
russia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
russia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Fiji | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
russia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
russia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
russia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay