Driving in New Zealand vs. Vanuatu: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of New Zealand and Vanuatu, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. From left-side driving in New Zealand to the right-side rules in Vanuatu, important variations in lane usage, speed limits, and road etiquette significantly influence safety and navigation in these two unique destinations.
Lanes
| New zealand | 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 Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning 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 during certain hours. | 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 green pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | 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
new zealand:
Left
vanuatu:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
vanuatu:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
new zealand:
Not applicable
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| New zealand | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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 | No; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
new zealand:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
new zealand:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
new zealand:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| New zealand | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in New Zealand | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
vanuatu:
Signal when exiting
Turns
| New zealand | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
new zealand:
Not allowed
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| New zealand | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Regular inspection required; proof may be required | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Insurance
new zealand:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
new zealand:
Not mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| New zealand | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the left and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
vanuatu:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| New zealand | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, can vary widely | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and other penalties | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: Professional Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Roundabouts
| New zealand | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
vanuatu:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| New zealand | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 111 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 111 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
Contact: General Emergency
new zealand:
111
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
new zealand:
111
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Penalties And Fines
| New zealand | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $150, points may also apply | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $150, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually paid online or by mail | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 28 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
new zealand:
$150, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay