Driving Differences: Liechtenstein vs. Tonga Explained
When navigating the roads of Liechtenstein and Tonga, drivers will encounter notable variations in rules and regulations. From the distinct driving sides—right in Liechtenstein and left in Tonga—to differing speed limits and emergency protocols, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring safe travels in foreign lands. Prepare for a unique driving experience in each destination!
Lanes
| Liechtenstein | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not typically used in Liechtenstein. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
liechtenstein:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
liechtenstein:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
liechtenstein:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
liechtenstein:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
liechtenstein:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
liechtenstein:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
liechtenstein:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Liechtenstein | 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 | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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 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 | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
liechtenstein:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
liechtenstein:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
liechtenstein:
120 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
liechtenstein:
100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
liechtenstein:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
liechtenstein:
Electronic signs display current limits
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
liechtenstein:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Liechtenstein | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
liechtenstein:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Liechtenstein | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
liechtenstein:
Not allowed
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Liechtenstein | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | Required; proof may be required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
liechtenstein:
Required annually
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Liechtenstein | 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
liechtenstein:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Liechtenstein | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Heavy fines; varies by severity | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.05%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Liechtenstein | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
liechtenstein:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Liechtenstein | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance company or local service providers | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
liechtenstein:
112
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
liechtenstein:
117
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Liechtenstein | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, points on license | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
liechtenstein:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred