Driving in Libya vs. Tonga: Key Differences Explained
As you embark on your journey through Libya and Tonga, understanding the nuances of their road rules is crucial for a safe experience. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides—right in Libya and left in Tonga—alongside varying speed limits and traffic signal protocols. Stay informed to navigate each country confidently and securely.
Lanes
| Libya | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the separation between directions on some roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | 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: Usage | Not commonly designated. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not commonly designated. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | N/A |
Driving Side
libya:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the separation between directions on some roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
libya:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
tonga:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
libya:
Generally not allowed except when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
libya:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
libya:
Not commonly designated.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
libya:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
libya:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Libya | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Generally not used. | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
libya:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
libya:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
libya:
70 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
libya:
100 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
libya:
90 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
libya:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
libya:
Generally not used.
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
libya:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
libya:
Yes
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Libya | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Libya | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
libya:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
tonga:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
libya:
Not used in Libya
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
libya:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
libya:
Arabic
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
libya:
Triangle-shaped with red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Libya | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specified | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
libya:
Generally not allowed unless specified
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
libya:
Varies by locality; check for signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Libya | 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 recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required for registration and periodically thereafter | Required; proof may be required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
libya:
International Driving Permit required
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
libya:
International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
libya:
Required for registration and periodically thereafter
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Libya | 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
libya:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Libya | 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 | Possible; checkpoints used in some areas | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
Limits: General Drivers
libya:
0.00%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
libya:
0.00%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
libya:
0.00%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
libya:
Possible; checkpoints used in some areas
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Roundabouts
| Libya | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
libya:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Libya | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 193 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by area | Contact local police |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
libya:
193
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
libya:
Varies by area
tonga:
Contact local police
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
libya:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
libya:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Libya | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on severity | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines may apply | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines may apply | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required within 30 days | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
libya:
Varies; fines based on severity
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
libya:
Fines may apply
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
libya:
Fines may apply
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
libya:
Fines may apply
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
libya:
Possible
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
libya:
Varies; typically required within 30 days
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred