Driving Differences: Barbados vs. Tonga Explained
Discover the essential contrasts in road regulations and practices between Barbados and Tonga. This comparison reveals significant variations in speed limits, overtaking rules, and traffic enforcement. Understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each unique driving environment.
Lanes
| Barbados | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
tonga:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
tonga:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
barbados:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Barbados | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
barbados:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Turns
| Barbados | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Barbados | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Usually not required for non-residents | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Barbados | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
tonga:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred