Driving Differences: Italy vs. Vanuatu for Safe Travels
When driving in Italy and Vanuatu, motorists encounter significant contrasts that impact road safety and regulations. While Italy boasts well-marked bus and cycle lanes, Vanuatu lacks these features, relying on shared road space. Speed limits also differ, with Italy enforcing stricter regulations than the more relaxed norms found in Vanuatu. Understanding these variations is essential for a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Italy | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| 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. | 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
italy:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
italy:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
italy:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
italy:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
italy:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Italy | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
italy:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
italy:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
70 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
130 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
italy:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
italy:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Italy | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used; prepare to go when green appears | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Italian; symbols are standard | English; 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
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Italy | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Italy | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
italy:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
italy:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Italy | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
italy:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Italy | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: Professional Drivers
italy:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
italy:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
italy:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Italy | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
italy:
113 (State Police)
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
italy:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; fines apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, strict enforcement | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Possible; or through police stations |
| 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
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay