Driving in Brunei vs. Tonga: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Brunei and Tonga, it's crucial to understand the distinct driving regulations that govern each nation. From speed limits to overtaking rules, these differences significantly impact road safety. While Brunei enforces strict measures, such as zero alcohol tolerance, Tonga offers more leniency, showcasing the unique driving culture of each country.
Lanes
| Brunei | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
brunei:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
brunei:
100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
brunei:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Brunei | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
brunei:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Turns
| Brunei | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Brunei | 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 | Annually required | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Brunei | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred