Driving Differences: Portugal vs Tonga You Need to Know
When navigating the roads of Portugal and Tonga, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their travel experience. From driving on opposite sides to varying speed limits and road etiquette, understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring safety abroad. Explore the unique driving landscapes of both nations and enhance your journey with informed insights.
Lanes
| Portugal | 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 | Prohibited. | 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 taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; 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 colored pavement. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
portugal:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
portugal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Overtaking: On Right
portugal:
Prohibited.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
portugal:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
portugal:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
portugal:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
portugal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
portugal:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Portugal | 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 | 90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 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 | 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 | Possible | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
portugal:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
portugal:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
portugal:
90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
portugal:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
70 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
portugal:
120 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
portugal:
100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
portugal:
90 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
portugal:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
portugal:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
portugal:
Possible
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Portugal | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Portugal | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Portuguese; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
portugal:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Portugal | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit | Varies by location; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Portugal | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
portugal:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
portugal:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Portugal | 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
portugal:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Portugal | 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, especially during holidays | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
Limits: General Drivers
portugal:
0.05%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
portugal:
0.02%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Roundabouts
| Portugal | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
portugal:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Portugal | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local authorities | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACP | 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
portugal:
112
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
portugal:
Contact local authorities
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
portugal:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
portugal:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Portugal | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €120 to €600 | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €240 to €1,200 | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €120 to €600 | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
portugal:
€120 to €600
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
portugal:
€120 to €600
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
portugal:
Possible
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred