Driving Safety: Indonesia vs. Vanuatu Comparison
When navigating the roads of Indonesia and Vanuatu, drivers encounter distinct rules and regulations that impact their experience. Key differences include driving on the left in Indonesia versus the right in Vanuatu, varied speed limits, and unique lane usage for buses and bicycles. Understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Indonesia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signage. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in major cities, 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
indonesia:
Left
vanuatu:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
indonesia:
No
vanuatu:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
indonesia:
Yes
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
indonesia:
Use leftmost lane.
vanuatu:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Limited
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
indonesia:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Indonesia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 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 | Common | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
indonesia:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
indonesia:
Common
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Indonesia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Indonesia | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Indonesian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Traffic Signs: Language
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Indonesia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Forbidden unless a sign permits it | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Indonesia | 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 required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic checks required | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Evidence of inspection may be displayed | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
indonesia:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Indonesia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and make room | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
indonesia:
Give way and make room
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Indonesia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: Professional Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
indonesia:
Common
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
indonesia:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Indonesia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 110 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local emergency numbers | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in case of breakdown | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
indonesia:
112 or 110
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Indonesia | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; subject to local laws | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Subject to local laws, fines apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, enforced rigorously | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay