Driving in Mexico vs. Vanuatu: Safety Tips & Differences
When comparing the driving experiences in Mexico and Vanuatu, notable variations emerge in road regulations and safety measures. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol limits, with Mexico permitting higher speeds and a more complex lane system, while Vanuatu emphasizes stricter alcohol regulations and simpler road markings. Understanding these contrasts is essential for safe navigation abroad.
Lanes
| Mexico | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in urban areas 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: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
mexico:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
mexico:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Mexico | 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: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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 | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
mexico:
40-60 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
70-80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
mexico:
100-120 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
mexico:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
mexico:
80-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
mexico:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
mexico:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Mexico | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Mexico | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Traffic Signs: Language
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Mexico | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Mexico | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
mexico:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
mexico:
Not mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Mexico | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Mexico | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
mexico:
0.08%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
mexico:
0.04%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
mexico:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
mexico:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Mexico | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 066 or 911 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
Contact: General Emergency
mexico:
911
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
mexico:
066 or 911
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Penalties And Fines
| Mexico | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies, up to $50, points in some states | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; can lead to significant fines | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; system improvements for online payments | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay