Driving Differences: United Kingdom vs. Vanuatu Explained
Discover the essential contrasts in road regulations between the United Kingdom and Vanuatu to enhance your travel experience. From driving on opposite sides to diverse speed limits and lane usage, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring your safety while navigating unfamiliar territories. Stay informed and drive confidently abroad!
Lanes
| United kingdom | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid White Line | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). | No crossing or lane changes allowed. |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. | No crossing in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Near schools | Railroad crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. | No |
| 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. |
Driving Side
united kingdom:
Left
vanuatu:
Right
Markings: Solid White Line
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
vanuatu:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
vanuatu:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
vanuatu:
No crossing in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
vanuatu:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
united kingdom:
Near schools
vanuatu:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
vanuatu:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
united kingdom:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
united kingdom:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
vanuatu:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
united kingdom:
N/A
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
united kingdom:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| United kingdom | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30 mph | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 mph in some areas | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 mph | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50 mph | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50 mph | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 70 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 60 mph | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60 mph | 80 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
united kingdom:
30 mph
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
united kingdom:
60 mph
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
united kingdom:
50 mph
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
united kingdom:
50 mph
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
united kingdom:
70 mph
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
united kingdom:
60 mph
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
united kingdom:
60 mph
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Speed Units
united kingdom:
mph
vanuatu:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
united kingdom:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
united kingdom:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| United kingdom | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Prepare to go, not used in the USA | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
vanuatu:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Warning
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| United kingdom | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not permitted in the UK | Not typically allowed |
| Left Turn: General | Left turns permitted; use caution | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed except where prohibited by signage | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
Left Turn: General
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
vanuatu:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
vanuatu:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| United kingdom | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not displayed; records are electronic | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
united kingdom:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| United kingdom | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull to the side and stop, if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| United kingdom | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines apply | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: General Drivers
united kingdom:
0.08%
vanuatu:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
united kingdom:
0.02%
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Roundabouts
| United kingdom | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
vanuatu:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Lane Usage: Right
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
vanuatu:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| United kingdom | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 or 112 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 or 112 | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
Contact: General Emergency
united kingdom:
999 or 112
vanuatu:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
united kingdom:
999 or 112
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Penalties And Fines
| United kingdom | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | £100 fine | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | £200 and 6 penalty points | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | £100 fine and 3 penalty points | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; 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
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
united kingdom:
£100 fine
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations
Payment: Deadline
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
vanuatu:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay