Kuwait vs Tonga: Driving Differences You Need to Know
Explore the contrasting road regulations and driving customs between Kuwait and Tonga. Key differences include driving sides—right in Kuwait versus left in Tonga—and varying speed limits, with Kuwait featuring faster allowances. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience when navigating unfamiliar roads in either nation.
Lanes
| Kuwait | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
Driving Side
kuwait:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
kuwait:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Overtaking: On Right
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
kuwait:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
kuwait:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Kuwait | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 45-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 45 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kuwait:
45 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
120 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
kuwait:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kuwait:
Yes
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Kuwait | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kuwait:
Not used
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
kuwait:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Kuwait | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless signs allow | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Kuwait | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit 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 | Annual inspection required | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Kuwait | 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
kuwait:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Kuwait | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Significant fines and legal consequences | Varies; can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving | Possible for severe offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
kuwait:
Less common
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
tonga:
Possible for severe offenses
Roundabouts
| Kuwait | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
kuwait:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Kuwait | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Contact local police |
Contact: General Emergency
kuwait:
112
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
kuwait:
112
tonga:
Contact local police
Penalties And Fines
| Kuwait | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may include points on license | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Very severe penalties for any alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, possible | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kuwait:
Fines applicable
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
kuwait:
Fines applicable
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
kuwait:
Yes, possible
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred