Driving in Japan vs. Tonga: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the distinct driving practices of Japan and Tonga, it's essential to understand their unique regulations and road customs. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance levels. Japan emphasizes strict adherence to rules, while Tonga offers more flexibility, making it vital for travelers to comprehend these variations to ensure safe journeys.
Lanes
| Japan | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Overtaking: On Left
japan:
No
tonga:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
japan:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
japan:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Japan | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 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 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
japan:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
60 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
japan:
60 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
60 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
japan:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
japan:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
japan:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
japan:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
japan:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Japan | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Japan | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
japan:
Not used in Japan
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
japan:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Turns
| Japan | 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
japan:
Not allowed
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Japan | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required along with national license | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
japan:
Displayed on license plate
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Japan | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Generally used sparingly | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Flashing Lights: Usage
japan:
To warn of hazards
tonga:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
japan:
Generally used sparingly
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Japan | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Prohibited; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints may be set up | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
japan:
0.03%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
japan:
0.00%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Japan | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
japan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Japan | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or JAF | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
japan:
119
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
japan:
110
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
japan:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
japan:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Japan | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines, points on license | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines; enforceable | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Severe fines, points on license | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid later | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
japan:
Fines; enforceable
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
japan:
Fines, points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred