Driving in the Netherlands vs. Tonga: Key Differences
Driving in the Netherlands and Tonga presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should be aware of. Notable distinctions include driving on opposite sides of the road, varying speed limits, and the presence of dedicated bus and cycle lanes in the Netherlands. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Netherlands | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| 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 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring. | 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
netherlands:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
tonga:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
netherlands:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Netherlands | 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 | 100-130 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: 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, but fines are often mailed after citation | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
netherlands:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
netherlands:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
netherlands:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
netherlands:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Netherlands | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Netherlands | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
netherlands:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Turns
| Netherlands | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Netherlands | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic technical inspection required | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration | 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
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Netherlands | 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
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Netherlands | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
netherlands:
0.05%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
netherlands:
0.02%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Netherlands | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | No signal required unless exiting immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
tonga:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
netherlands:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Netherlands | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB | 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
netherlands:
112
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
netherlands:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
netherlands:
Recommended
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Netherlands | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant, points on license | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, points on license | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; payment within specified period required | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred