Fiji drives on the left, so the wheel sits on the right. But check the numbers as well — 50/70/80 km/h limits, 0.08% blood alcohol and a driving age of 17.
Fiji Drives on the Left in 2026 — and Caps You at 80 km/h
Data verified:
4 min readFiji drives on the left side of the road. The minimum driving age is 17. The motorway speed limit is 80 km/h. The general emergency number is 911. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08% BAC.
Fiji's BAC limit is 0.08% and a 20+ km/h speeding ticket runs a fixed roadside fine. Police routinely set checkpoints on Friday and Saturday nights around Suva.
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Fiji drives on the left, which puts the steering wheel on the right and overtaking on the outside — the same convention as Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The speeds are modest to match: 50 km/h in urban areas, 70 km/h on rural roads and 80 km/h at the top of any road type, alongside a 0.08% blood alcohol limit and a minimum driving age of 17.
Your case: Changing sides matters least on a dry straight and most in heavy rain, when Fijian roads flood quickly — and the legal tread floor here is only 1.5 mm, below the 1.6 mm most visitors are used to, so look at what your rental is standing on using the Fiji tyre rules before you sign.
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Unlike neighboring Vanuatu, Fiji drives on the left — take extra care if crossing the border.
Emergency Numbers in Fiji
General Emergency: 911 | Police: 917
Save these numbers before you start driving. In Fiji, emergency calls are free from any phone.
Speed Limits in Fiji
The default speed limits for passenger cars in Fiji are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 70 km/h on rural roads, and 80 km/h on motorways.
Trucks and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes have lower limits: 50 km/h urban, 60 km/h rural, and 60 km/h on motorways.
Important: Posted signs always override default limits. Watch for temporary restrictions in construction zones, near schools, and in residential areas.
Speeding Fines and Penalties
Speeding fines in Fiji vary based on how much you exceed the posted limit. Fines increase sharply for higher violations and may include licence points or driving bans for serious offences.
Traffic Rules and Regulations
Drive on the left side of the road. Overtake on the right. At roundabouts, traffic flows clockwise — give way to vehicles already in the roundabout.
Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants. Children must use appropriate restraint systems based on their age and height.
Using a hand-held phone while driving is prohibited. Hands-free systems are permitted.
Use headlights in poor visibility, tunnels, and at night. Some areas require headlights at all times.
Priority at intersections follows posted signs. When no signs are present, yield to traffic from the right.
Drink-Driving Laws and Alcohol Limits
The legal blood alcohol limit in Fiji is 0.08% BAC. Exceeding this limit results in fines, licence suspension, and possible criminal charges. For novice drivers and professional drivers, stricter limits may apply.
The safest approach is to not drink at all if you will be driving. Alcohol affects reaction time and judgement regardless of the legal limit.
Tyre Requirements and Regulations
Due to Fiji’s tropical climate, winter tyres are not required. Standard tyres suitable for wet and dry conditions are appropriate year-round.
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.5 mm.
Studded tyres are prohibited in Fiji.
For detailed tyre law information, see our Tyre Laws in Fiji guide.
Driving License Requirements
Always carry your original driving licence — photocopies are not accepted.
The minimum driving age is 17 years.
Parking and Fuel
Parking in major cities can be limited and expensive. Shopping centres and commercial areas usually have dedicated car parks. Read signs carefully to avoid towing.
We do not hold a verified, dated fuel price for Fiji, so check a local price app or the board at the station before you budget.
Most fuel stations accept major credit and debit cards. In rural areas, keep your tank above half — stations may be far apart.
Seasonal Driving Conditions
Fiji has a tropical climate. The main driving hazard is heavy rainfall — roads can flood quickly and visibility drops sharply during downpours. Reduce speed in rain and avoid crossing flooded sections. Road surfaces may deteriorate during the wet season.
Practical Driving Tips for Fiji
- If switching from right-hand traffic, concentrate on turns and roundabouts — these are where most mistakes happen.
- Download offline maps of Fiji before your trip — mobile signal can be unreliable on rural roads.
- Take a break every 2 hours on long drives. Fatigue is a leading cause of road accidents.
- Use our interactive tools on this page — compare rules with your home country and calculate potential fines before you set off.
Speed Limits in Fiji
| Road Type | Cars | Trucks (>3.5t) |
|---|---|---|
| Urban | 50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural | 70 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Motorway | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
Emergency Numbers in Fiji
These numbers are free to call and available 24/7. When calling, state your location and the nature of the emergency.
Tyre Laws in Fiji
Winter tyre requirements, tread depth rules, and studded tyre regulations.
View tyre regulationsAvoid a fine in Fiji
Who pays a driving fine abroad, the hire-car admin-fee trap, and how to appeal.
Read the fine guideDriving in Fiji on a foreign licence
Nationality-specific licence, IDP & rules — pick where your licence is from:
Renting a Car in Fiji?
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Recent changes to this page
- Undated, unsourced fuel price estimate removed.
- Emergency-number box, FAQ and checklist aligned with the verified country record.
- Answered the driving-side question in the title and first line, since that is what almost every visitor arrives asking, and flagged the 1.5 mm tread floor on wet roads.
- Title, description and introduction rewritten from this page's own data (no shared template wording).
- Replaced the speeding-fine calculator link: that tool covers 17 countries and Fiji is not one of them, so the link could not answer the question it promised. It now points to the speed-limit map, which does cover Fiji.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Fiji, the default speed limits for passenger vehicles are: urban areas 50 km/h (31 mph), rural roads 70 km/h (43 mph), and motorways 80 km/h (50 mph). Always follow posted signs as limits may differ on specific roads.
In Fiji, traffic drives on the left side of the road. Vehicles have the steering wheel on the right side. If you are visiting from a country that drives on the right, take extra care at intersections, roundabouts, and when overtaking.
The legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Fiji is 0.08% (0.8mg/ml). Stricter limits often apply to novice drivers and commercial vehicle operators. Penalties for exceeding the limit can include heavy fines, license suspension, and imprisonment.
Foreign visitors to Fiji should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their valid national driving license. An IDP translates your license into multiple languages and is recognized internationally. Check with the embassy of Fiji for the most current requirements.
Winter tyres in Fiji are: Not Required. Regardless of legal requirements, winter tyres or all-season tyres with the appropriate markings (M+S or 3PMSF) are strongly recommended when temperatures drop below 7°C for improved safety and grip.
The general emergency number in Fiji is 911; you can also reach police 917. These numbers are free to call and available 24/7. When calling, be prepared to state your location and the nature of the emergency.
Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited in Fiji. Hands-free systems (Bluetooth, speakerphone, or mounted devices) are permitted. Penalties for mobile phone use while driving typically include fines. For safety, always use hands-free solutions or pull over to use your phone.
When driving in Fiji, you should always carry: your valid driving license (and IDP if applicable), vehicle registration document, valid insurance certificate (Green Card for European countries), and your passport or national ID. Rental car drivers should also carry the rental agreement. Police may request these documents during routine checks.
The minimum age to drive a car in Fiji is 17 years old. Some categories of vehicles (such as motorcycles or heavy vehicles) may have different age requirements. Novice drivers may face additional restrictions during their first years of driving.
Driving in Fiji is generally safe for tourists who are prepared. Before driving, familiarize yourself with local traffic rules, road signs, and driving customs. Consider downloading offline maps, carrying emergency supplies, and purchasing comprehensive insurance. Avoid driving at night in unfamiliar areas if possible.
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