Driving in Italy vs. Samoa: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Italy and Samoa, drivers encounter striking contrasts in regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. From driving sides to speed limits and road markings, this comparison reveals essential distinctions that ensure safe vehicular navigation abroad. Understanding these variances is crucial for a secure and enjoyable journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Italy | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
italy:
Right
samoa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
samoa:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
italy:
Yes
samoa:
No
Overtaking: On Right
italy:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
italy:
Use rightmost lane.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
italy:
Yes
samoa:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
italy:
Yes
samoa:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
italy:
Exclusive for bicycles.
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
italy:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
italy:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
samoa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Italy | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
italy:
50 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
italy:
30 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
90 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
italy:
80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
70 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
130 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
italy:
100 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
samoa:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Italy | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used; prepare to go when green appears | Not used in Samoa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Italian; symbols are standard | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Italy | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
samoa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Italy | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
italy:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Italy | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
italy:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Italy | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 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; checkpoints used frequently | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
italy:
0.05%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
italy:
0.00%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
italy:
0.00%
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Italy | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
italy:
Signal right when preparing to exit
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Italy | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | 685-22-222 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
italy:
112
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
italy:
113 (State Police)
samoa:
685-22-222
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
italy:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, strict enforcement | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay