Driving in Russia vs. Tonga: Key Differences Unveiled
When exploring the roads of Russia and Tonga, understanding the unique traffic regulations and driving customs is essential for ensuring safe travels. From differing speed limits and lane usage to distinct rules regarding turns and documentation, both countries present fascinating contrasts that every traveler should know. Navigate these diverse landscapes with confidence and awareness!
Lanes
| Russia | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided 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 taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific road signs or 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 | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
russia:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
russia:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
russia:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
russia:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
russia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
russia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
russia:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
russia:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Russia | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 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 | Yes; but fines are also mailed | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
russia:
60 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
russia:
20 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
russia:
90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
110 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
russia:
90-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
russia:
90 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
russia:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
russia:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Russia | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Russia | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Russian; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
russia:
Not used in Russia
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
russia:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Turns
| Russia | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Russia | 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 | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually indicated in vehicle documents | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
russia:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Russia | 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
russia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Russia | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.035% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially in cities | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
Limits: General Drivers
russia:
0.035%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
russia:
0.00%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
russia:
0.00%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
russia:
Common, especially in cities
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Roundabouts
| Russia | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
russia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Russia | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers; 113 is common | Contact local police |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
russia:
112
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
tonga:
Contact local police
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
russia:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Russia | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points in the record | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
russia:
Fines apply
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Payment: On The Spot
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred