Driving in Japan vs. Vanuatu: Key Differences Explained
Discover the unique driving landscapes of Japan and Vanuatu in our comprehensive comparison. Key distinctions include Japan's left-side driving and advanced lane regulations, contrasted with Vanuatu's right-side approach and variable speed limits. Understanding these nuances is vital for ensuring safe travels in these diverse regions.
Lanes
| Japan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. | 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 taxis during specific hours. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes 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. |
Driving Side
japan:
Left
vanuatu:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
japan:
No
vanuatu:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
japan:
Use leftmost lane.
vanuatu:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
japan:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
japan:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
japan:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Japan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 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
japan:
40-50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
60 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
japan:
60 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
60 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
japan:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
japan:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Japan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Japan | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
japan:
Not used in Japan
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Traffic Signs: Language
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Japan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
japan:
Not allowed
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Japan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
japan:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
japan:
Displayed on license plate
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Japan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Generally used sparingly | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
japan:
To warn of hazards
vanuatu:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
japan:
Generally used sparingly
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
japan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Japan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Prohibited; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints may be set up | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
japan:
0.03%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
japan:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
japan:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Japan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or JAF | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
japan:
119
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
japan:
110
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Recommended
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Japan | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, points on license | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines; enforceable | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Severe fines, points on license | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid later | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
vanuatu:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
japan:
Fines; enforceable
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
japan:
Fines, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay