Driving in South Africa vs. Tonga: Key Safety Differences
Discover the diverse rules of the road as we compare driving practices between South Africa and Tonga. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol regulations and emergency contacts, this guide highlights crucial distinctions that enhance your safety while navigating these unique landscapes. Stay informed and drive confidently in either country!
Lanes
| South africa | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless turning. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. | 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
tonga:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
south africa:
Allowed
tonga:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
south africa:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
south africa:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
south africa:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| South africa | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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 | 100-120 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common in South Africa | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
south africa:
40-60 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
100 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
south africa:
120 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
south africa:
100-120 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
south africa:
80-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
south africa:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
south africa:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| South africa | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in South Africa | 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 Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
south africa:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| South africa | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
south africa:
Not allowed
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| South africa | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not applicable | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
south africa:
Not applicable
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south africa:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| South africa | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadblocks are used frequently | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies based on offense | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and additional fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
south africa:
0.05%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
south africa:
0.02%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
south africa:
0.00%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
tonga:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| South africa | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 10111 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call general emergency number | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
south africa:
112 or 10111
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
south africa:
Call general emergency number
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
south africa:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| South africa | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Common fine; mandatory use | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, common with road checkpoints | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
south africa:
Fines applicable
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred