Driving in India vs. Vanuatu: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of India and Vanuatu, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their journey. Key differences include driving sides—left in India and right in Vanuatu—along with varying speed limits and lane usage rules. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience behind the wheel in either country.
Lanes
| India | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, but only when safe. | 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: Presence | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| 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. | 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. |
Driving Side
india:
Left
vanuatu:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
india:
No
vanuatu:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
india:
Use leftmost lane.
vanuatu:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
india:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
india:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
india:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| India | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-70 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities and highways | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
india:
40-50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| India | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | Not used in Vanuatu |
| 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; 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
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
vanuatu:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
vanuatu:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
india:
Triangular with red border
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| India | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Not typically 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 | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
vanuatu:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| India | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
india:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| India | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 to the side and stop, if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
vanuatu:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
vanuatu:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| India | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
india:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
india:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Roundabouts
| India | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
vanuatu:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
vanuatu:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| India | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Penalties And Fines
| India | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | Possible; or through police stations |
| 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
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay