Driving in Tonga vs. Turkey: Key Differences Uncovered
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and practices between Tonga and Turkey. While Tonga adopts a left-side driving approach, Turkey adheres to the right. Discover how speed limits, lane usage, and road etiquette diverge significantly, ensuring your journey is both safe and informed when navigating these unique landscapes.
Lanes
| Tonga | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Often used to separate traffic directions. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
tonga:
Left
turkey:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
turkey:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
tonga:
No
turkey:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
tonga:
N/A
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
tonga:
N/A
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
tonga:
No
turkey:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
tonga:
N/A
turkey:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
tonga:
N/A
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
tonga:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
tonga:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Tonga | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | N/A | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | N/A | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No widespread use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; paid directly to traffic officers | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
tonga:
40-50 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
tonga:
40 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
tonga:
70-80 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
tonga:
70-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
tonga:
70-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
tonga:
N/A
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
tonga:
N/A
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
tonga:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
tonga:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
tonga:
No widespread use
turkey:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Tonga | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Tonga | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Use indicators appropriately | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Tongan; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
turkey:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
tonga:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Tonga | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
tonga:
Prohibited
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Tonga | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required; proof may be required | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
tonga:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
tonga:
Not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Tonga | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
tonga:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Tonga | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common at specific times or checkpoints | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
tonga:
0.08%
turkey:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
tonga:
0.04%
turkey:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
tonga:
Zero tolerance
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
tonga:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Tonga | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
turkey:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Tonga | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
tonga:
911
turkey:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
tonga:
Contact local police
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Tonga | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for handheld phone use while driving | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines usually paid immediately | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Immediate payment preferred | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
tonga:
Fines apply
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges