Driving Differences: Norway vs. Vanuatu Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts between road regulations in Norway and Vanuatu. While Norway boasts comprehensive lane markings and strict speed limits, Vanuatu offers a more relaxed approach with fewer designations and varying enforcement. Understanding these crucial distinctions can significantly enhance your travel experience and ensure safer journeys abroad.
Lanes
| Norway | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not standard in Norway. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | 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
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
norway:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Norway | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 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 | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 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 | Yes | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
norway:
30-50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
norway:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
90-110 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
norway:
90-100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
norway:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
norway:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
norway:
Yes
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Norway | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Norway | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
norway:
Not used in Norway
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Traffic Signs: Language
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Norway | 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
norway:
Not allowed
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Norway | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with a national driving license | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | None | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
norway:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
norway:
None
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
norway:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Norway | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Norway | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | High fines and possible license revocation | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
norway:
0.02%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
norway:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Norway | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 02800 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NAF | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
norway:
02800
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
norway:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Norway | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 1500 NOK | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 1700 NOK | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, typically required | Possible; or through police stations |
Common Fines: Speeding
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
vanuatu:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
norway:
1500 NOK
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
norway:
1700 NOK
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
norway:
Yes, typically required
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations