Driving Differences: Slovakia vs Tonga Explained
Exploring the contrasts in motoring between Slovakia and Tonga reveals intriguing differences that can significantly impact your travel experience. From driving on the right side of the road in Slovakia to the left in Tonga, varied speed limits, and unique lane regulations, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe journey abroad.
Lanes
| Slovakia | 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 | 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
slovakia:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
slovakia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
slovakia:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
slovakia:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
slovakia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
slovakia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
slovakia:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
slovakia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
slovakia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
slovakia:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
slovakia:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Slovakia | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 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 |
| 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: 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 | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
slovakia:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
slovakia:
90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
slovakia:
90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
slovakia:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
slovakia:
130 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
slovakia:
100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
slovakia:
90 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
slovakia:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
slovakia:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
slovakia:
Yes
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Slovakia | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Slovakia | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Slovak; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
slovakia:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Slovakia | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
slovakia:
Not allowed
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Slovakia | 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 along with local license | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory and regular inspections required | Required; proof may be required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
slovakia:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
slovakia:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Slovakia | 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
slovakia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Slovakia | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 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 | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
slovakia:
0.00%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
slovakia:
0.00%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
slovakia:
0.00%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
slovakia:
Can be substantial
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Slovakia | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
slovakia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Slovakia | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 158 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service | 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
slovakia:
112
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
slovakia:
158
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
slovakia:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
slovakia:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Slovakia | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €50 to €150, points in some regions | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100 to €200, points in some regions | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €100 to €250, points on license possible | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
slovakia:
Common
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred