Driving in Tonga vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
Tonga and the United Kingdom showcase distinct road regulations that influence travel experiences. Key contrasts include overtaking rules, speed limits, and lane markings, underscoring the importance of understanding local driving customs. Familiarizing yourself with these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey while navigating unfamiliar territories.
Lanes
| Tonga | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Often used to separate traffic directions. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid White Line
tonga:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
tonga:
Often used to separate traffic directions.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
tonga:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
tonga:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
tonga:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
tonga:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Bus Lanes: Presence
tonga:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
tonga:
N/A
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
tonga:
N/A
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
tonga:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
tonga:
N/A
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
tonga:
N/A
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
tonga:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
tonga:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
tonga:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
tonga:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Tonga | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No specific highways with designated higher speed limits | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | N/A | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | N/A | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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 | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
tonga:
40-50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
tonga:
40 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
tonga:
70-80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
tonga:
70-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
tonga:
70-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
tonga:
No specific highways with designated higher speed limits
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
tonga:
N/A
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
tonga:
N/A
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
tonga:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
tonga:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
tonga:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
tonga:
No widespread use
united kingdom:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
tonga:
Common; paid directly to traffic officers
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Tonga | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used in Tonga | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Use indicators appropriately | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Tongan; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
tonga:
Not commonly used in Tonga
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
tonga:
Use indicators appropriately
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
tonga:
English and Tongan; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
tonga:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Tonga | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
tonga:
Prohibited
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
tonga:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
tonga:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
tonga:
Varies by location; check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Tonga | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required; proof may be required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
tonga:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
tonga:
Required; proof may be required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
tonga:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Road Etiquette
| Tonga | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
tonga:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Tonga | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | Zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common at specific times or checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: Professional Drivers
tonga:
0.04%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
tonga:
Zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
tonga:
Common at specific times or checkpoints
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
tonga:
Varies; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Tonga | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
tonga:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Signaling: Exiting
tonga:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united kingdom:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
tonga:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Tonga | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
Contact: General Emergency
tonga:
911
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
tonga:
Contact local police
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
tonga:
Check with your insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Penalties And Fines
| Tonga | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory; fines for non-compliance | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for handheld phone use while driving | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines usually paid immediately | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Immediate payment preferred | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
tonga:
Varies; spot fines by discretion of traffic police
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
tonga:
Mandatory; fines for non-compliance
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
tonga:
Fines for handheld phone use while driving
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
tonga:
Fines apply
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
tonga:
Common; fines usually paid immediately
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
tonga:
Immediate payment preferred
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay