Driving in Iceland vs. Vanuatu: Key Differences Explained
When it comes to navigating the roads, Iceland and Vanuatu present distinct contrasts in their regulations and practices. From lane usage to speed limits, each country has its unique approach to vehicular rules. Discover how these differences can impact your driving experience and ensure your journey remains safe and enjoyable abroad.
Lanes
| Iceland | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | 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: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
vanuatu:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h on gravel roads | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
iceland:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
iceland:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Iceland | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
vanuatu:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
vanuatu:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
vanuatu:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Iceland | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Iceland | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
iceland:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Iceland | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
vanuatu:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
vanuatu:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay