Driving in Nepal vs. Samoa: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the unique driving landscapes of Nepal and Samoa, a variety of contrasts emerge that are essential for travelers. From speed limits and lane usage to enforcement practices and road etiquette, understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Dive into the specifics and enhance your driving awareness in these diverse regions.
Lanes
| Nepal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, with caution. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Keep left. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
nepal:
Marks the edge of the road.
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
nepal:
Yes, with caution.
samoa:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
nepal:
Keep left.
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
nepal:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
nepal:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
nepal:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
nepal:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
nepal:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nepal:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Nepal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 55-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
nepal:
20-40 km/h
samoa:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
nepal:
20-30 km/h
samoa:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
nepal:
50-80 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
nepal:
40-60 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
nepal:
40-60 km/h
samoa:
55-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
nepal:
80 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
nepal:
60 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
nepal:
60 km/h
samoa:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
nepal:
N/A
samoa:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
nepal:
No
samoa:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
nepal:
Yes, common practice
samoa:
Yes
Signals
| Nepal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Nepal | Not used in Samoa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Nepali and English | English and Samoan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
nepal:
Yellow
samoa:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
nepal:
Not used in Nepal
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
Traffic Signs: Language
nepal:
Nepali and English
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
nepal:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Nepal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
U- Turns Allowed
nepal:
Varies by locality; check for signs
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Nepal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | 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 |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Annual inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
nepal:
International Driving Permit required
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
nepal:
International Driving Permit required
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
nepal:
Mandatory; proof required
samoa:
Annual inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nepal:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Nepal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
nepal:
Frequent use compared to some countries
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Nepal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Not applicable as underage driving is illegal | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
nepal:
0.05%
samoa:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
nepal:
0.00%
samoa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
nepal:
Not applicable as underage driving is illegal
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
nepal:
Common; checkpoints used
samoa:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
nepal:
Can be substantial
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Nepal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Lane Usage: Left
nepal:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
samoa:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Nepal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 100 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | 685-22-222 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
nepal:
100
samoa:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
nepal:
100
samoa:
685-22-222
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
nepal:
Mandatory
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Nepal | Samoa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; NPR 2,000 to NPR 5,000 | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | NPR 500 to NPR 1,000 | ST$100 to ST$200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | NPR 1,000 to NPR 5,000 | ST$50 to ST$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | NPR 1,000 to NPR 2,000 | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, common practice | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
nepal:
Varies; NPR 2,000 to NPR 5,000
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
nepal:
NPR 500 to NPR 1,000
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
Common Fines: Phone Use
nepal:
NPR 1,000 to NPR 5,000
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
nepal:
NPR 1,000 to NPR 2,000
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
nepal:
Yes, common practice
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
Payment: Deadline
nepal:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay