Driving in Sweden vs Tonga: Key Safety Differences
Explore the intriguing contrasts between Sweden and Tonga in our comprehensive driving comparison. While Sweden drives on the right and emphasizes strict speed limits and road regulations, Tonga follows the left-hand driving custom with more lenient enforcement. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring safe travel as you navigate unfamiliar roads.
Lanes
| Sweden | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. | Often used to separate traffic directions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. | No crossing in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by 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
sweden:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
tonga:
No crossing in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
tonga:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
sweden:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
sweden:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
sweden:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
sweden:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
sweden:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
sweden:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
sweden:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Sweden | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 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 | Common; fines can be issued directly. | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
sweden:
30-50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
sweden:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
sweden:
70-100 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
sweden:
70-100 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
sweden:
70-90 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
sweden:
90-120 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
sweden:
90-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
sweden:
80-90 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
sweden:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
sweden:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Sweden | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Yellow | Amber |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not common in Sweden. | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting. | Use indicators appropriately |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use is generally discouraged. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse. | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages. | Not to be used to signal other messages |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Swedish; symbols are standard. | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
sweden:
Yellow
tonga:
Amber
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
tonga:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
tonga:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
tonga:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
tonga:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
tonga:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
tonga:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
tonga:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Priority
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
tonga:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
Traffic Signs: Warning
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Sweden | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed. | Prohibited |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. | Varies by location; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows. | Yes, marked with arrows |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited. | Prohibited |
Right Turn On Red
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
tonga:
Prohibited
Left Turn: General
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
tonga:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
tonga:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
tonga:
Yes, marked with arrows
Overtaking While Turning
sweden:
Prohibited.
tonga:
Prohibited
Documentation
| Sweden | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required. | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory. | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required. | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Proof may be required to be shown. | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended. | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
tonga:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
tonga:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sweden:
Mandatory.
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Sweden | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply. | Discouraged, fines may apply |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized. | Discouraged and may be penalized |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations. | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Rarely used except for emergencies. | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
tonga:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
tonga:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
tonga:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
tonga:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
tonga:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
tonga:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
tonga:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Sweden | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. | Zero tolerance |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability. | Check if medication affects driving ability |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. | Varies; can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
sweden:
0.02%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
sweden:
0.02%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
tonga:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
tonga:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
tonga:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
tonga:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Sweden | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight. | Use for first exit or straight |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Priority: Entering
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
tonga:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
tonga:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
tonga:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
tonga:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
tonga:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Sweden | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended. | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
sweden:
112
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
sweden:
Mandatory.
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Sweden | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | SEK 1500, points on license. | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and possible points on license. | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can be issued directly. | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically within 30 days to pay. | Immediate payment preferred |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid. | Same as residents; must be paid |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid. | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred
Foreign Drivers: Fines
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
tonga:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.
tonga:
Possible if fines are not paid