Driving Differences: India vs Samoa - Stay Safe Abroad
When exploring the roads of India and Samoa, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experiences. Key variations include speed limits, lane usage, and pedestrian priorities. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe journey, whether navigating bustling Indian cities or the serene Samoan landscapes.
Lanes
| India | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, but only when safe. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
samoa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
india:
Exclusive for bicycles.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
india:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
india:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| India | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-70 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities and highways | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
india:
40-50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
india:
30 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
samoa:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| India | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | Not used in Samoa |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common due to varied vehicle conditions | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and local languages; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
india:
Not used in India
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
samoa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
samoa:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
india:
Triangular with red border
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| India | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Not allowed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
samoa:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
samoa:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| India | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | 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 |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| India | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to other countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
samoa:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
samoa:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
india:
0.00%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
india:
0.00%
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
samoa:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| India | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
samoa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| India | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
india:
112
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| India | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay