Driving in Cyprus vs. Tonga: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Cyprus and Tonga, drivers encounter notable variations in regulations and practices. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and the enforcement of traffic laws. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and responsible journey in both unique driving environments.
Lanes
| Cyprus | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge of the road. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for public transport. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
tonga:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
cyprus:
Prohibited.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Limited
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
cyprus:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
cyprus:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Cyprus | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 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 | 100 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 |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
cyprus:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cyprus:
50 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cyprus:
100 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
cyprus:
100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cyprus:
100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
cyprus:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cyprus:
Yes
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Cyprus | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Cyprus | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Cyprus | 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
cyprus:
Not allowed
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Cyprus | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits without additional permits | 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 | Yes, periodic inspection required | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cyprus:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Cyprus | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used routinely | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and strict | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
cyprus:
0.05%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
cyprus:
0.02%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Cyprus | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
tonga:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
cyprus:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Cyprus | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
cyprus:
112
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
cyprus:
112
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Cyprus | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Strict enforcement | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Strict enforcement, fines apply | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred