Driving in Fiji vs. South Africa: Key Differences Uncovered
Exploring the roads of Fiji and South Africa unveils intriguing contrasts in their driving protocols and regulations. From lane markings and speed limits to traffic etiquette and alcohol thresholds, each nation presents unique challenges. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad, no matter where your travels take you.
Lanes
| Fiji | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 kph | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 80-100 km/h |
| Speed Units | kph | km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
south africa:
km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Fiji | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not used in South Africa |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Warning
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Fiji | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Fiji | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not applicable |
| 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
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory
south africa:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Fiji | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
fiji:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Fiji | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
fiji:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Fiji | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay