Driving Differences: Montenegro vs Tonga Explained
Exploring the nuances of road regulations between Montenegro and Tonga reveals intriguing contrasts. While Montenegro drives on the right with a structured approach to speed limits and lane usage, Tonga's left-side driving and relaxed enforcement create a unique driving landscape. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either destination.
Lanes
| Montenegro | 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 | Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations. | 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 and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with road signs and pavement markings. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
montenegro:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
montenegro:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Overtaking: On Right
montenegro:
Usually not allowed; adhere to local regulations.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
montenegro:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
montenegro:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
montenegro:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
montenegro:
Labeled with road signs and pavement markings.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
montenegro:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
montenegro:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
montenegro:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
montenegro:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
montenegro:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Montenegro | 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 | 100 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: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
montenegro:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
montenegro:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
montenegro:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
montenegro:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
montenegro:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
montenegro:
100 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
montenegro:
100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
montenegro:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
montenegro:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
montenegro:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
montenegro:
Yes, fines can be imposed on the spot
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Montenegro | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Montenegro | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Montenegrin; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border and white background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
montenegro:
Not used in Montenegro
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
montenegro:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
montenegro:
Montenegrin; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
montenegro:
Triangle-shaped with red border and white background
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Montenegro | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Sometimes allowed, check for signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
montenegro:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
montenegro:
Sometimes allowed, check for signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Montenegro | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays | 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 | Yes, periodic inspections required | Required; proof may be required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
montenegro:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for extended stays
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
montenegro:
International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
montenegro:
Yes, periodic inspections required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
montenegro:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
montenegro:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Montenegro | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use common but regulated | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
montenegro:
Use common but regulated
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
montenegro:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Montenegro | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
Limits: General Drivers
montenegro:
0.03%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
montenegro:
0.00%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
montenegro:
0.00%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
montenegro:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Roundabouts
| Montenegro | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
montenegro:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Montenegro | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available from several organizations; check locally | 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
montenegro:
112
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
montenegro:
122
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
montenegro:
Available from several organizations; check locally
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
montenegro:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
montenegro:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Montenegro | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, amount varies | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, amount varies | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, amount varies | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 8 days | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
montenegro:
Varies; can be up to €1,200 for severe offenses
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
montenegro:
Fines apply, amount varies
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
montenegro:
Common for minor offenses
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
montenegro:
Usually within 8 days
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred