Driving in Samoa vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
Discover the unique nuances of road regulations between Samoa and the United Kingdom in this comprehensive comparison. While both nations prioritize motorist safety, they diverge significantly in lane markings, speed limits, and the presence of specialized lanes. Understanding these distinctions can enhance your driving experience and ensure your well-being while navigating foreign roads.
Lanes
| Samoa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid White Line
samoa:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
samoa:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
samoa:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Left
samoa:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
samoa:
Yes
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
samoa:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Bus Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
samoa:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
samoa:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Samoa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 55-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 55-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
samoa:
25-40 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
samoa:
20 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
55-80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
samoa:
55-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
55-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
samoa:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
samoa:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
samoa:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
samoa:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Samoa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Samoa | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Samoan; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
samoa:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Samoa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
samoa:
Not allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
samoa:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
samoa:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Samoa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
samoa:
Annual inspection required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Road Etiquette
| Samoa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Samoa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: Underage Drivers
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
samoa:
Common
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Samoa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
samoa:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Signaling: Exiting
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united kingdom:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
samoa:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Samoa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 685-22-222 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
Contact: General Emergency
samoa:
911
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
samoa:
685-22-222
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Penalties And Fines
| Samoa | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ST$100 to ST$200 | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ST$50 to ST$300 | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
samoa:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay