Driving in Fiji vs. Spain: Key Differences Explained
Discover the contrasting driving experiences in Fiji and Spain, where road rules and regulations vary significantly. From lane usage to speed limits, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a safe journey abroad. Uncover how driving on the left in Fiji contrasts with the right-hand traffic of Spain, along with other essential guidelines for travelers.
Lanes
| Fiji | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 unless on a one-way street. |
| 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' or 'TAXI'; 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
fiji:
Left
spain:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
spain:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
spain:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
fiji:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 kph | 70-80 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 | 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, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
spain:
90 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
spain:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Fiji | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not used in Spain |
| 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; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
spain:
Not used in Spain
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Fiji | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Fiji | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| 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
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| 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
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Fiji | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
spain:
0.03%
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
fiji:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Fiji | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
fiji:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay