Driving Differences: Fiji vs. Vanuatu Explained
When exploring the roads of Fiji and Vanuatu, it's essential to understand their unique regulations and practices. Key distinctions include Fiji's left-side driving, contrasted with Vanuatu's right-side approach. Speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol limits further emphasize their diverse traffic norms, ensuring travelers prioritize safety while navigating these picturesque islands.
Lanes
| Fiji | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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: Usage | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Driving Side
fiji:
Left
vanuatu:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
fiji:
Centerline on two-way roads; overtaking permitted.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
fiji:
No
vanuatu:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
fiji:
Yes
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
fiji:
Use leftmost lane.
vanuatu:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
fiji:
N/A
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
fiji:
N/A
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
fiji:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Fiji | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 kph | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 kph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 kph | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 kph | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 kph | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 kph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 kph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 kph | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | kph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
fiji:
50 kph
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
fiji:
30 kph
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
80 kph
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
fiji:
70 kph
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
60 kph
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
fiji:
100 kph
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
fiji:
90 kph
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
fiji:
80 kph
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Speed Units
fiji:
kph
vanuatu:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
fiji:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
fiji:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Fiji | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Fiji | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
fiji:
Not used in Fiji
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
fiji:
Unnecessary use discouraged; fines can apply
vanuatu:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Turns
| Fiji | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed only where indicated by signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
fiji:
Not allowed.
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
fiji:
Allowed only where indicated by signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Fiji | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Insurance
fiji:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
fiji:
Annual vehicle inspections are mandatory
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
fiji:
Displayed on the windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
fiji:
Not mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Fiji | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 to the side and stop, if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
fiji:
Often used for greetings or to alert pedestrians and other vehicles
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
fiji:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Fiji | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, potential loss of license | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
fiji:
0.08%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
fiji:
0.05%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
fiji:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
fiji:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
fiji:
Substantial fines, potential loss of license
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
fiji:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Fiji | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
Contact: General Emergency
fiji:
911
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
fiji:
911 for emergencies; *000 for non-emergencies on mobile phones
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
fiji:
Contact your insurance provider
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Penalties And Fines
| Fiji | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500 | Varies; can be significant |
| 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 for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply; obey signals | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can be issued at the scene | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
fiji:
Varies; $50 to $500
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
fiji:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
vanuatu:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
fiji:
Mandatory; fines can apply
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
fiji:
Use while driving is prohibited, fines apply
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
fiji:
Fines apply; obey signals
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
fiji:
Yes; fines can be issued at the scene
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
fiji:
Varies; typically within 7 to 14 days
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay