Driving in Bulgaria vs. Tonga: Key Differences Explained
When comparing road regulations in Bulgaria and Tonga, it's evident that key distinctions impact travel experiences. Bulgaria drives on the right, while Tonga follows the left. Speed limits vary significantly, and the presence of bus and cycle lanes is notable in Bulgaria. Understanding these nuances ensures safer and more enjoyable journeys in each country.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bulgaria:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bulgaria:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
bulgaria:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bulgaria:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bulgaria:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Bulgaria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bulgaria:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bulgaria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bulgaria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bulgaria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bulgaria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred