Driving in Greece vs Tonga: Key Differences to Know
Explore the unique nuances of road regulations as we compare driving in Greece and Tonga. Key distinctions include driving sides, speed limits, and the presence of dedicated lanes for buses and cyclists. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in these diverse countries.
Lanes
| Greece | 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
greece:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
greece:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
greece:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
greece:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
greece:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
greece:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
greece:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
greece:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
greece:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Greece | 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 | 90 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 | 130 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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, fines can be issued on the spot | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
greece:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
greece:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
greece:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
greece:
130 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
greece:
100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
greece:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
greece:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
greece:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
greece:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Greece | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Greece | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Greek and English; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
greece:
Not used in Greece
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
greece:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
greece:
Discouraged in urban areas unless necessary
tonga:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
greece:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
greece:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Greece | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
greece:
Not allowed
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
greece:
Varies by locality; check for signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Greece | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
greece:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
greece:
International Driving Permit required
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
greece:
Yes, periodic vehicle inspections required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
greece:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Greece | 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
greece:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Greece | 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; police may set up roadblocks | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and potential penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
greece:
0.05%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
greece:
0.02%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
greece:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
greece:
Common; police may set up roadblocks
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Test Refusal
greece:
Can result in license suspension and potential penalties
tonga:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Greece | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
greece:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Greece | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 100 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 10400 for ELPA assistance | 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
greece:
112
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
greece:
100
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
greece:
10400 for ELPA assistance
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
greece:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
greece:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Greece | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €700, points on license | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €350, points on license | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €350, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 10 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
greece:
Varies; €40 to €700, points on license
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
greece:
€350, points on license
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
greece:
€100, points on license
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
greece:
€350, points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
greece:
Yes; usually paid immediately or within a few days
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
greece:
Varies; typically 10 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred