Driving Differences: Romania vs. Tonga Explained
When exploring the roads of Romania and Tonga, drivers will encounter notable contrasts in regulations and practices. From the driving side—right in Romania and left in Tonga—to speed limits and road etiquette, understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Discover key insights that will enhance your driving experience in these diverse countries.
Lanes
| Romania | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| 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' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited, mainly in urban areas | 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 commonly used | N/A |
Driving Side
romania:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
romania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
romania:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
romania:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
romania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
romania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
romania:
Not applicable
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
romania:
Not commonly used
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Romania | 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 | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 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: Indications | Not commonly used | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
romania:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
romania:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
romania:
90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
romania:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
romania:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
romania:
130 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
romania:
100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
romania:
90 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
romania:
Not commonly used
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
romania:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
romania:
Yes, common practice
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Romania | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Romania | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Romanian; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
romania:
Not used in Romania
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
romania:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
tonga:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Romania | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
romania:
Not allowed
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Romania | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections 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
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
romania:
International Driving Permit required
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
romania:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
romania:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Romania | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use expected | 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
romania:
Moderate use expected
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
romania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Romania | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits | 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 | Considerable fines for offenses | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
romania:
0.00%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
romania:
0.00%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Romania | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
romania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Romania | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Call your insurance provider or a local service | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
romania:
112
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Romania | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Hefty fines and possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable; license points may be added | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days | Immediate payment preferred |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist
tonga:
Possible if fines are not paid