Driving in Iceland vs. Tonga: Key Safety Differences
Discover the unique driving practices between Iceland and Tonga, two distinct nations with varying road rules and regulations. From speed limits and lane usage to emergency protocols and alcohol limits, understanding these contrasts is vital for safe travel. Explore how these countries differ to ensure a smoother journey abroad.
Lanes
| Iceland | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; 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
iceland:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
iceland:
List length: 4
tonga:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
iceland:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
iceland:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
iceland:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Iceland | 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 on gravel roads | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h on paved roads | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h on paved roads | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
iceland:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
iceland:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
iceland:
90 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
iceland:
90 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
iceland:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
iceland:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
iceland:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
iceland:
Yes
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Iceland | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | N/A | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | N/A | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Icelandic; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
iceland:
N/A
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Horn Usage: Penalties
iceland:
N/A
tonga:
Fines may apply for misuse
Hand Signals: Common Usage
iceland:
N/A
tonga:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Iceland | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
iceland:
Not allowed
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Iceland | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
iceland:
Annual inspection required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Iceland | 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
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Iceland | 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 | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial penalties can apply | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
iceland:
0.05%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
iceland:
0.02%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
iceland:
Common
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
tonga:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Iceland | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
tonga:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Iceland | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | National Police number 112 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact local towing services or insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
iceland:
112
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
iceland:
National Police number 112
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
iceland:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
iceland:
Not mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Iceland | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines apply | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines if found using without hands-free | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred