Driving Differences: Tanzania vs Tonga Explained
Exploring the roads of Tanzania and Tonga reveals distinct contrasts in driving practices and regulations. While Tanzania employs dedicated bus and cycle lanes, Tonga lacks such features. Speed limits also differ, with Tanzania's urban cap at 50 km/h compared to Tonga's flexible range. Understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring a secure journey in either destination.
Lanes
| Tanzania | 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 | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; 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 dedicated lanes. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
tanzania:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
Overtaking: On Left
tanzania:
No
tonga:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
tanzania:
Yes
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
tanzania:
Yes
tonga:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
tanzania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
tonga:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
tanzania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'DART'; often with road signs.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
tanzania:
Yes
tonga:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
tanzania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tonga:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
tanzania:
Bicycle symbols and dedicated lanes.
tonga:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
tanzania:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
tanzania:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Tanzania | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No widespread use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; paid directly to traffic officers |
Urban Areas: Standard
tanzania:
50 km/h
tonga:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
tanzania:
30-50 km/h
tonga:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
tanzania:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
tanzania:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
tanzania:
80 km/h
tonga:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
tanzania:
100 km/h
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
Highways: Buses And Vans
tanzania:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
tanzania:
80 km/h
tonga:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
tanzania:
N/A
tonga:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
tanzania:
Yes
tonga:
No widespread use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
tanzania:
Yes
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
Signals
| Tanzania | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Tanzania | Not commonly used in Tonga |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Use indicators appropriately |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Swahili; symbols are standard | English and Tongan; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
tanzania:
Not used in Tanzania
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
tanzania:
Signal when exiting
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
Traffic Signs: Language
tanzania:
English and Swahili; symbols are standard
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
Turns
| Tanzania | 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
tanzania:
Not allowed
tonga:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
tanzania:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Tanzania | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required annually | 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
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
tanzania:
Accepted for short visits with an International Driving Permit
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
tanzania:
Required annually
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
tanzania:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
tanzania:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Tanzania | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate usage compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
tanzania:
Moderate usage compared to some countries
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Tanzania | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common at specific times or checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Significant fines apply | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
tanzania:
0.05%
tonga:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
tanzania:
0.00%
tonga:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
tanzania:
Common
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
tanzania:
Significant fines apply
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Tanzania | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
tanzania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Tanzania | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Contact local police |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
tanzania:
112
tonga:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
tanzania:
112
tonga:
Contact local police
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
tanzania:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
tanzania:
Mandatory
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Tanzania | Tonga | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties can be severe | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | Fines for handheld phone use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Penalties enforced | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common; fines usually paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Immediate payment preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
tanzania:
Varies; penalties can be severe
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
Common Fines: Alcohol
tanzania:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
tanzania:
Fines apply
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
tanzania:
Fines apply
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
tanzania:
Penalties enforced
tonga:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
tanzania:
Common
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
tanzania:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred