Driving Differences: Denmark vs Tonga Safety Insights
When exploring the roads of Denmark and Tonga, it's essential to understand the unique driving regulations and customs that promote safe travel. Key distinctions include Denmark's right-side driving and extensive road markings, compared to Tonga's left-side driving and simpler traffic signs. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts will enhance your journey and ensure a smoother experience abroad.
Lanes
| Denmark | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
denmark:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
tonga:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
denmark:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
denmark:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
denmark:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
denmark:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Denmark | 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 | 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 | 110-130 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 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, for minor offenses. | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
denmark:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
denmark:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
denmark:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
denmark:
90-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
denmark:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Denmark | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green. | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Danish; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
denmark:
Used before green.
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Denmark | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
denmark:
Not allowed
tonga:
Prohibited
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
tonga:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Denmark | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | 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 | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | 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 | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
denmark:
Displayed on the windshield
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Denmark | 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
denmark:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Denmark | 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; carried out by the police | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
denmark:
0.05%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
denmark:
0.02%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
denmark:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
denmark:
Can be substantial
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Denmark | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking any exit other than first | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
tonga:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
denmark:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Denmark | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
denmark:
112
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Denmark | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred