Driving in El Salvador vs. Tonga: Key Differences Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and practices between El Salvador and Tonga. From unique lane usage and speed limits to distinct alcohol thresholds, this comparison highlights essential driving nuances that ensure safety on foreign roads. Understanding these variations is vital for a secure and confident journey in these diverse regions.
Lanes
| El salvador | 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 | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
el salvador:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
el salvador:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
el salvador:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
el salvador:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
el salvador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
el salvador:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
el salvador:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
el salvador:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
el salvador:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
el salvador:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
el salvador:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| El salvador | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 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 | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
el salvador:
20-40 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
el salvador:
20-30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
80-90 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
el salvador:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
el salvador:
No
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
el salvador:
Yes
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| El salvador | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not common in El Salvador | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; 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
el salvador:
Not common in El Salvador
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
el salvador:
Signal when entering and exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
el salvador:
Spanish; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
el salvador:
Triangle-shaped with red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| El salvador | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| El salvador | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | 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 annual inspection | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
el salvador:
Mandatory annual inspection
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
el salvador:
Displayed on the windshield
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
el salvador:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| El salvador | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas to communicate | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Yield and make way | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
el salvador:
Frequent use in some areas to communicate
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
el salvador:
Yield and make way
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| El salvador | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines and penalties | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
el salvador:
0.05%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
el salvador:
0.02%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
el salvador:
0.00%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
el salvador:
Common
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
el salvador:
Substantial fines and penalties
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| El salvador | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
el salvador:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| El salvador | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 120 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 121 | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
el salvador:
120
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
el salvador:
121
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
el salvador:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| El salvador | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $20 to $100 | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $20 to $50 | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $30 to $100 | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $200 | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, frequently enforced | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically 30 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
el salvador:
Varies; $20 to $100
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
el salvador:
$20 to $50
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
el salvador:
$30 to $100
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
el salvador:
$50 to $200
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
el salvador:
Yes, frequently enforced
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
el salvador:
Typically 30 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred