Driving in Madagascar vs. Tonga: Key Differences Explored
When traveling in Madagascar and Tonga, understanding the distinct driving habits is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Key differences include Madagascar's right-side driving and a lack of bus lanes, contrasted with Tonga's left-side navigation and structured speed limits. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can enhance your road experience abroad.
Lanes
| Madagascar | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Stay to the right lane when possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Available mainly in urban areas | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mostly for buses. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be marked clearly in major cities. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | N/A |
Driving Side
madagascar:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
madagascar:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
tonga:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 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 | 80-100 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, particularly in urban areas. | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common. | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
madagascar:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Madagascar | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | May apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French and Malagasy | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
madagascar:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
tonga:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
tonga:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
tonga:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
tonga:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
tonga:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Madagascar | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Varies by location; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Madagascar | 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 recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for all vehicles | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Use is more frequent in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Significantly used for communication with other drivers | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
tonga:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
tonga:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
tonga:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
tonga:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Not commonly practiced | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
tonga:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
madagascar:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred