Driving in China vs. Tonga: Key Differences Explained
Discover the intriguing contrasts between driving in China and Tonga, where diverse regulations and practices shape road experiences. From the right-side driving in China to Tonga's left-side tradition, significant variances in speed limits, lane usage, and vehicle protocols are essential for ensuring safety abroad. Navigate these differences to enhance your travel experience.
Lanes
| China | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Railroad crossings | Pedestrian crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane if possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
china:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
tonga:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
china:
List length: 4
tonga:
List length: 5
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
china:
Railroad crossings
tonga:
Pedestrian crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
china:
Yes
tonga:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| China | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, especially in urban areas | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
china:
40-60 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
china:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
70-90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
china:
60-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
china:
100-120 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
china:
90-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
china:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
china:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
china:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| China | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in China | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Chinese; symbols also used | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
china:
Not used in China
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
china:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
tonga:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| China | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| China | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid Chinese driver's license required | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles | Required; proof may be required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
tonga:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| China | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| China | 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 | Common, especially near bars and clubs | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines, license suspension possible | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
china:
0.02%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
china:
0.00%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
tonga:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| China | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight ahead | Use for first exit or straight |
Signaling: Exiting
china:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
tonga:
Use for first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| China | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 110 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Same as general emergency; 110 | Contact local police |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
china:
110
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
tonga:
Contact local police
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
china:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| China | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ¥50 to ¥200 | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines and points on license | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
china:
¥50 to ¥200
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
china:
Fines and points on license
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
china:
Fines and points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred