Driving in Lebanon vs. Tonga: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the distinct driving landscapes of Lebanon and Tonga, travelers will uncover significant variances in regulations and road etiquette. From contrasting rules on lane usage and speed limits to unique vehicle documentation requirements, understanding these disparities is essential for ensuring a safe journey abroad. Dive into our comprehensive comparison to navigate these unique driving environments effectively.
Lanes
| Lebanon | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
Driving Side
lebanon:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
tonga:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
lebanon:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 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 |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
lebanon:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lebanon:
Yes
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Lebanon | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
tonga:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Lebanon | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Lebanon | 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 required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Required; proof may be required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
tonga:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
lebanon:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your 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
lebanon:
112
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred