Driving in Colombia vs Tonga: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Colombia and Tonga, drivers will encounter distinct regulations and customs that shape their travel experience. Key distinctions include Colombia's right-hand driving and comprehensive lane markings, contrasted with Tonga's left-side driving and simpler road structures. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either nation.
Lanes
Colombia | 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 | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | 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 | Not applicable | N/A |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
colombia:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
colombia:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
colombia:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
Colombia | Tonga | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 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 | 90-120 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | N/A |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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; police may issue fines at the moment. | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
colombia:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
Colombia | Tonga | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not commonly used in Tonga |
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
colombia:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Turns
Colombia | Tonga | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Prohibited |
U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
Colombia | Tonga | |
---|---|---|
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Required; proof may be required |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
Colombia | Tonga | |
---|---|---|
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
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
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
Colombia | Tonga | |
---|---|---|
Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
colombia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
tonga:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
Colombia | Tonga | |
---|---|---|
Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
colombia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
Colombia | Tonga | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 911 |
Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | Contact local police |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | 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
colombia:
123
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
Colombia | Tonga | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Fines apply |
Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
colombia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred