Driving in Taiwan vs Tonga: Key Safety Differences
Explore the fascinating contrast in road regulations between Taiwan and Tonga. From diverse driving sides to varying speed limits and unique traffic protocols, each nation boasts distinct practices that influence travel safety. Understanding these disparities is crucial for a secure driving experience abroad, ensuring peace of mind on unfamiliar roads.
Lanes
| Taiwan | 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; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
taiwan:
Right
tonga:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
tonga:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Taiwan | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 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 | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
taiwan:
30 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
taiwan:
Yes
tonga:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
taiwan:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Taiwan | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Taiwan | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Mandarin; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
taiwan:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Turns
| Taiwan | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Taiwan | 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, periodic inspections mandatory | Required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Taiwan | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in busy areas | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Taiwan | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Heavy fines imposed | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fine | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
taiwan:
0.03%
tonga:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
taiwan:
0.03%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
tonga:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Taiwan | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
taiwan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Taiwan | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by district; inquire locally | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available via insurance or specialized companies | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
taiwan:
119
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
tonga:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Taiwan | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Steep fines, possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | NT$1,500, points in some cases | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | NT$2,700, points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred