Driving in France vs. Vanuatu: Key Safety Differences
Discover the fascinating contrasts in roadway etiquette and regulations between France and Vanuatu. While France boasts structured lane markings and variable speed limits, Vanuatu offers a more relaxed approach with fewer regulations. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either nation.
Lanes
| France | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
france:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
france:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| France | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
france:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
france:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
france:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
france:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
france:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| France | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
vanuatu:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
vanuatu:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| France | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| France | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
france:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| France | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: Underage Drivers
france:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
france:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Roundabouts
| France | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
vanuatu:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| France | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
vanuatu:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay