Driving Safety: Algeria vs. Tonga Road Rules Explained
When driving abroad, understanding the unique regulations of each country is crucial for safety. In our comparison of Algeria and Tonga, you'll discover distinct differences such as driving on the right versus the left, varying speed limits, and unique traffic laws. Familiarizing yourself with these important distinctions can enhance your travel experience and ensure a safer journey.
Lanes
| Algeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
algeria:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
algeria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
algeria:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
algeria:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
algeria:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
algeria:
50 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
100 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
algeria:
90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
120 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
algeria:
100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
algeria:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
algeria:
Yes
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Algeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Usually triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
algeria:
Not typically used
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
algeria:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
tonga:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
algeria:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Algeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
algeria:
Usually not allowed unless indicated
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Algeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age | Required; proof may be required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
algeria:
More frequent use than in some countries
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
tonga:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
algeria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Algeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
algeria:
0.00%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
algeria:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Roundabouts
| Algeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
algeria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
algeria:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid promptly | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred