Driving in Guatemala vs. Tonga: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Guatemala and Tonga, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their journeys. From driving on opposite sides of the road to varying speed limits and unique traffic signals, understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience abroad. Prepare to explore the essential driving nuances of these two captivating nations.
Lanes
| Guatemala | 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. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | N/A |
Driving Side
guatemala:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
guatemala:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
guatemala:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 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 | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 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 | 90 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
guatemala:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Guatemala | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | 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 Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
guatemala:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Guatemala | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Prohibited |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
tonga:
Prohibited
Documentation
| Guatemala | 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; proof may be required | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | 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
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More 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
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
guatemala:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
guatemala:
0.05%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Guatemala | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
guatemala:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Contact local police |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
tonga:
Contact local police
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred