Driving in Portugal vs. Vanuatu: A Safety Comparison
When driving abroad, understanding the distinctions in traffic regulations is crucial for safety. This comparison between Portugal and Vanuatu reveals significant contrasts, from speed limits and lane usage to documentation requirements and penalties. While Portugal enforces strict driving laws, Vanuatu offers a more relaxed approach, making it essential for travelers to be informed.
Lanes
| Portugal | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | 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 taxis. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; 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: 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. |
Overtaking: On Right
portugal:
Prohibited.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
portugal:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
portugal:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
portugal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
portugal:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
portugal:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Portugal | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 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 | Possible | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
portugal:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
portugal:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
portugal:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
70 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
portugal:
120 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
portugal:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
portugal:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
portugal:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
portugal:
Possible
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Portugal | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Portugal | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Traffic Signs: Language
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Portugal | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
portugal:
Prohibited
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Portugal | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required; 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 | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
portugal:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
portugal:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
portugal:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Portugal | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
portugal:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Portugal | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: Underage Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
portugal:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Portugal | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local authorities | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACP | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
portugal:
Contact local authorities
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
portugal:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
portugal:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Portugal | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €120 to €600 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €240 to €1,200 | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €120 to €600 | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Possible; or through police stations |
Common Fines: Speeding
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
portugal:
€120 to €600
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
portugal:
€120 to €600
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
portugal:
Possible
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations