Driving in Fiji vs. United Kingdom: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Fiji and the United Kingdom, you'll encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape each nation's driving experience. From lane markings and speed limits to signaling protocols, understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Prepare to navigate the unique nuances of each country’s road rules!
Lanes
| Fiji | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid White Line
fiji:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
fiji:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
fiji:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Bus Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
fiji:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 kph | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | kph | mph |
| 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
fiji:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Fiji | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
fiji:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Warning
fiji:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Fiji | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
fiji:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
fiji:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Fiji | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
fiji:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Fiji | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Fiji | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
fiji:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
fiji:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Fiji | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines can apply | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay