Driving Differences: New Zealand vs. Tonga Explained
Explore the distinct driving regulations and road customs between New Zealand and Tonga. From speed limitations and lane usage to pedestrian rights, this comparison reveals how each nation prioritizes safety and efficiency on the roads. Prepare for a unique driving experience as you navigate these contrasting environments!
Lanes
| New zealand | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during certain hours. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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 green pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Overtaking: On Right
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
new zealand:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| New zealand | 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 | 100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 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 | 90 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 | No; fines are usually mailed after citation | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
new zealand:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
new zealand:
50 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
new zealand:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
new zealand:
Electronic signs display current limits
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
new zealand:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| New zealand | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in New Zealand | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Turns
| New zealand | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
new zealand:
Not allowed
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| New zealand | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Regular inspection required; proof may be required | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| New zealand | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Pedestrians Priority
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
tonga:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| New zealand | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 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 |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, can vary widely | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and other penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
new zealand:
0.05%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
tonga:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| New zealand | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
tonga:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
new zealand:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| New zealand | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 111 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 111 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
new zealand:
111
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
new zealand:
111
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| New zealand | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $30 to $630, points on license | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $150, points may also apply | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $150, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 28 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
new zealand:
$150, points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred