Driving in Tonga vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Tonga and the United Arab Emirates, understanding their unique traffic regulations and customs is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on the left in Tonga versus the right in the UAE, varying speed limits, and the presence of dedicated bus lanes in urban areas of the Emirates. Stay informed and drive safely!
Lanes
| Tonga | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Often used to separate traffic directions. | Marks the left edge on some roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Driving Side
tonga:
Left
united arab emirates:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Overtaking: On Right
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
tonga:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
tonga:
Use leftmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
tonga:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
tonga:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
tonga:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
tonga:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
tonga:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
tonga:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
tonga:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
tonga:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
tonga:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
tonga:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Tonga | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits | 100-140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | N/A | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | N/A | 80-100 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 | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
tonga:
40-50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
tonga:
40 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
tonga:
70-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
tonga:
70-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
tonga:
70-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
tonga:
N/A
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
tonga:
N/A
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
tonga:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
tonga:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
tonga:
No widespread use
united arab emirates:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Tonga | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Tonga | Not used in UAE |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Use indicators appropriately | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Tongan; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
united arab emirates:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
tonga:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Tonga | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
tonga:
Prohibited
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Tonga | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required; proof may be required | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| 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 | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
tonga:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
tonga:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Tonga | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
| 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
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Tonga | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common at specific times or checkpoints | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
Limits: General Drivers
tonga:
0.08%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
tonga:
0.04%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
tonga:
Zero tolerance
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Roundabouts
| Tonga | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united arab emirates:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Tonga | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
tonga:
911
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
tonga:
Contact local police
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
tonga:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Tonga | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for handheld phone use while driving | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines usually paid immediately | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Immediate payment preferred | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
tonga:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
tonga:
Fines apply
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay