Driving in Trinidad and Tobago vs. Vanuatu: Key Differences
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for ensuring safety. This comparison highlights key distinctions between Trinidad and Tobago and Vanuatu, focusing on aspects like lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol regulations. Discover how driving etiquette and legal frameworks vary, empowering you to navigate these unique landscapes confidently.
Lanes
| Trinidad and tobago | 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 Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, when safe and permitted. | 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 and taxis during peak hours. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Marked with signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Driving Side
trinidad and tobago:
Left
vanuatu:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
trinidad and tobago:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
trinidad and tobago:
No
vanuatu:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
trinidad and tobago:
Yes, when safe and permitted.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
trinidad and tobago:
Use leftmost lane.
vanuatu:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
trinidad and tobago:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
trinidad and tobago:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
trinidad and tobago:
Marked with signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
trinidad and tobago:
Limited
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
trinidad and tobago:
Primarily for bicycles; be cautious of motor vehicles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Trinidad and tobago | 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 | 65 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common, officers may issue fines directly | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
trinidad and tobago:
30-50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
trinidad and tobago:
80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
trinidad and tobago:
65 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
trinidad and tobago:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
trinidad and tobago:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
trinidad and tobago:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
trinidad and tobago:
Common, officers may issue fines directly
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Trinidad and tobago | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Trinidad and Tobago | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
trinidad and tobago:
Not used in Trinidad and Tobago
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
trinidad and tobago:
Unnecessary use discouraged
vanuatu:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
trinidad and tobago:
To warn other drivers of your presence
vanuatu:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Turns
| Trinidad and tobago | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
trinidad and tobago:
Not allowed
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
trinidad and tobago:
Not typically allowed in urban areas; check for signs
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Trinidad and tobago | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
trinidad and tobago:
Annual inspection required
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
trinidad and tobago:
Displayed on vehicle
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Trinidad and tobago | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use to communicate in traffic | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
trinidad and tobago:
To warn of hazards
vanuatu:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
trinidad and tobago:
Frequent use to communicate in traffic
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
trinidad and tobago:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Trinidad and tobago | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | 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: General Drivers
trinidad and tobago:
0.08%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
trinidad and tobago:
0.05%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
trinidad and tobago:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
trinidad and tobago:
Common
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; can be substantial
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
trinidad and tobago:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Trinidad and tobago | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or use local police numbers | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
trinidad and tobago:
999 or 911
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
trinidad and tobago:
999 or use local police numbers
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
trinidad and tobago:
Contact your insurance provider or the Automobile Association
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
trinidad and tobago:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Trinidad and tobago | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | TT$ 1,000 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | TT$ 1,500 | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | TT$ 2,000, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail | Possible; or through police stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; TT$ 500 and up, points on license
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,000
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 1,500
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
trinidad and tobago:
TT$ 2,000, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
trinidad and tobago:
Rare; fines usually paid in person or by mail
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
trinidad and tobago:
Varies; typically within 15-30 days
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay