Driving in Sri Lanka vs. Tonga: Key Differences Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts between Sri Lanka and Tonga when it comes to road regulations and safety practices. From lane markings to speed limits, these nations showcase distinct approaches to vehicular navigation. Discover how overtaking rules, alcohol limits, and documentation requirements vary, ensuring your travels remain secure and informed.
Lanes
| Sri lanka | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed when safe. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Overtaking: On Left
sri lanka:
No
tonga:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
sri lanka:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Sri lanka | 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 | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
sri lanka:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
sri lanka:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
sri lanka:
70 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
sri lanka:
60 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
sri lanka:
60 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
sri lanka:
100 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
sri lanka:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
sri lanka:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
sri lanka:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Sri lanka | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Sri Lanka | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Used more frequently in rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
sri lanka:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Hand Signals: Common Usage
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
tonga:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Sri lanka | 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
sri lanka:
Not allowed
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Sri lanka | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | 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, proof required | Required; proof may be required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Road Etiquette
| Sri lanka | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Sri lanka | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.06% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% - zero tolerance | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
sri lanka:
0.06%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Sri lanka | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 119 or contact local police | Contact local police |
Contact: General Emergency
sri lanka:
119
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
tonga:
Contact local police
Penalties And Fines
| Sri lanka | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; expect substantial fines | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applied; amount may vary | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applied; amount may vary | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied; amount may vary | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Seat Belts
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred