Driving in Fiji vs. Thailand: Key Safety Differences
Discover the unique nuances of road regulations between Fiji and Thailand to ensure a secure journey abroad. While Fiji emphasizes strict overtaking rules, Thailand boasts dedicated bus and cycle lanes. Additionally, differing speed limits and alcohol consumption thresholds highlight the importance of understanding local driving customs for a safer travel experience.
Lanes
| Fiji | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
thailand:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
thailand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
thailand:
Prohibited
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
thailand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
thailand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
thailand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
fiji:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 50 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 | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 80-90 km/h |
| Speed Units | kph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
thailand:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
thailand:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
thailand:
Yes
Signals
| Fiji | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not used in Thailand |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
thailand:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
fiji:
English; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Fiji | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
thailand:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Fiji | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Fiji | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
thailand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
thailand:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
fiji:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Fiji | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
fiji:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
fiji:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
thailand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Fiji | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days