How to Apply for a Visitor’s Driving License in Tonga (and Do You Need One?)
If you want to rent a car and drive in Tonga and your driving license is not issued by one of the visitor visa-exempt countries, simply your driving license or International Driving Permit (IDP) is not enough. It is a legal requirement for visitors from non-visa-exempt countries to obtain a Visitor’s Driving License to drive in Tonga. We’ll show you how to get a Tonga Visitor’s Driving License in this guide.
Wait! You Might Not Need a Visitor’s Driving License for Tonga
Drivers from the visitor visa-exempt countries with a valid full driving license are entitled to drive in Tonga. Overseas driving licenses are valid for driving in Tonga for up to 12 months from the date of arrival.
Visitors with licenses from non-visa-exempt countries need to obtain a Visitor’s Driving License.
Need more clarification? Find out more in our guide, Can You Drive in Tonga with an Overseas License?
© TongaPocketGuide.comWhat You Need for the Visitor’s Driving License: Checklist!
To apply for the Tonga Visitor’s Driving License, you need the following:
- To be 18 years old or above
- A full valid overseas driving license
- An International Driving Permit (if applicable)
- TOP$40 cash or a debit/credit card.
Learn more about what type of overseas driving license you need in Can You Drive in Tonga With an Overseas License? Plus, get more tips on the International Driving Permit in Do You Need an International Driving Permit for Tonga?
(c) tongapocketguide.comWhere to Get Your Visitor’s Driving License
Visitor’s Driving Licenses can only be obtained in the island groups of Tongatapu and Vava’u. Learn more about the regions in A Guide to the Island Groups & Regions in Tonga.
Where to Get Your Driving License on Tongatapu
A Visitor’s Driving License can be purchased at the Ministry of Infrastructure in Nuku’alofa. The Ministry of Infrastructure is located on Alaivahamama’o Bypass Road after turning off Taufa’ahau Road at the corner with the Little India restaurant. Keep going past the BP gas station and you’ll see the building clearly signed. You will need to go into the Land Transport Division office of the building, which faces the road and is easy to spot with a sign in the door window.
There is now a Ministry of Infrastructure downtown office in the city centre of Nuku’alofa, located on the second floor of the O.G. Sanft Building, corner of Taufa’ahau and Wellington Roads.
Where to Get Your Driving License in Vava’u
Visitor’s Driving Licenses are available to apply for at the Police Station in Neiafu. Find the police station on the corner of Tu’i and Fatafehi Roads. It has big clear signs on the building – you won’t miss it.
(c) tongapocketguide.comThe Visitor’s Driving License Application Process
If you are 18 years of age or older, have a full valid driving license (and an IDP if your license is not in English – see more about the IDP for Tonga here), and TOP$40, getting the Visitor’s Driving License is easy.
How to Get the Visitor’s Driving License
At the Land Transport Division office in Nuku’alofa or the Police Station in Neiafu, ask for a Visitor’s Driving License. You will be asked whether you want a temporary license or a permanent license. The temporary license is valid for three months and is usually what most visitors need.
Present your overseas driving license along with the IDP, if your license is not in English. Learn more about what license you need in Can You Drive in Tonga With an Overseas License?
The license officer will use your driving license and/or IDP to complete the form printed on a piece of cardboard which will be your Visitor’s Driving License. They will also photocopy your driving license for their records.
You will then be asked to pay the fee of TOP$40, which you can pay by cash or debit/credit card. Finally, you will be given your Visitor’s Driving License along with your receipt.
Now you can legally drive in Tonga! You’ll notice that there are some driving tips written on your Visitor’s Driving License. You can find more driving tips in the 10 Safety Tips for Driving in Tonga.
© TongaPocketGuide.comThe Conditions of the Tonga Visitor’s Driving License
The conditions of the Tonga Visitor’s Driving License (Temporary) are as follows:
- It is valid for three months from the issue date
- The driving license is for the named driver on the license only, you cannot transfer the license to anyone else
- You must be over the age of 18
- You must have the Visitor’s Driving License and your overseas driving license on you when driving in Tonga.
More on How to Get a Tonga Visitor’s Driving License
That’s it for our guide on how to get a visitor’s driving license in Tonga (and whether you need one). For more tips for driving in Tonga, check out more of our insightful articles:
- How to Drive in Tonga + 10 Road Rules to Know
- What You Need to Hire a Car in Tonga
- The Driving Times in Tonga You Need to Know
Finally, if there’s anything we’ve missed, you’re likely to find it in our Tonga Transport Guide: 10 Ways to Get Around Tonga.
