Driving Safety: Singapore vs Tonga – Know the Differences
Explore the contrasting driving norms of Singapore and Tonga, where road regulations can significantly impact your journey. Notable distinctions include Singapore's strict bus and cycle lane usage compared to Tonga's absence of such features, as well as varying speed limits and alcohol thresholds. Stay informed to ensure a secure and pleasant driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Singapore | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed. | 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 peak 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 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Overtaking: On Right
singapore:
Not allowed.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
singapore:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
singapore:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
singapore:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
singapore:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
singapore:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Singapore | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
singapore:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
singapore:
70-90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
singapore:
70-90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
singapore:
70-90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
singapore:
80-90 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
singapore:
80-90 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
singapore:
80-90 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
singapore:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
singapore:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Singapore | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Singapore | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
singapore:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Turns
| Singapore | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed. | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
singapore:
Not allowed.
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Singapore | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Display not required | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
singapore:
Display not required
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Singapore | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
Flashing Lights: Usage
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
tonga:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Pedestrians Priority
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
tonga:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Alcohol
| Singapore | 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 frequently | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
singapore:
0.05%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
singapore:
0.00%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
singapore:
0.00%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Singapore | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
singapore:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Singapore | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 995 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
singapore:
995
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
singapore:
999
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Singapore | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, demerit points | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $120, demerit points for non-compliance | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $200 to $500, demerit points | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred