Driving in Algeria vs. Malaysia: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Algeria and Malaysia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly influence their experiences. From the side of the road on which to navigate to speed limits and traffic norms, understanding these disparities is crucial for a secure journey abroad. Discover the essential contrasts that can shape your driving adventure in these two vibrant countries.
Lanes
| Algeria | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited except on one-way roads. | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Not applicable | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Not applicable | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
algeria:
Right
malaysia:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
algeria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Left
algeria:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
algeria:
Prohibited except on one-way roads.
malaysia:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
algeria:
List length: 5
malaysia:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
algeria:
Use rightmost lane.
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
malaysia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
algeria:
No
malaysia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
algeria:
Not applicable
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
algeria:
Not applicable
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
algeria:
Not applicable
malaysia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
malaysia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Algeria | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
algeria:
50 km/h
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
algeria:
50 km/h
malaysia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
100 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
algeria:
90 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
algeria:
120 km/h
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
algeria:
100 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
algeria:
90 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
algeria:
Not applicable
malaysia:
N/A
Signals
| Algeria | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not typically used | Not used in Malaysia |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Malay and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Usually triangular with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
algeria:
Not typically used
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
algeria:
Excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
malaysia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
algeria:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
algeria:
Usually triangular with red borders
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Algeria | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
algeria:
Usually not allowed unless indicated
malaysia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
algeria:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by sign
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Algeria | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age | Required yearly for roadworthiness |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
algeria:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
algeria:
Mandatory every few years, varies based on vehicle age
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Algeria | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use than in some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
algeria:
More frequent use than in some countries
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
algeria:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crosswalks
malaysia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
algeria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Algeria | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Checkpoints used especially on holidays | Common; checkpoints used nationwide |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines |
Limits: General Drivers
algeria:
0.02%
malaysia:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
algeria:
0.00%
malaysia:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
algeria:
Checkpoints used especially on holidays
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
Enforcement: Fines
algeria:
Varies; can be substantial
malaysia:
Substantial fines
Roundabouts
| Algeria | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
algeria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Algeria | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 1548 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance provider or auto club | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
algeria:
1548
malaysia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
algeria:
17
malaysia:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
algeria:
Contact insurance provider or auto club
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
algeria:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Algeria | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars | Varies; RM150 and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Heavy fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed for non-compliance | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for non-compliance | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines imposed, may include points on license | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; also through post or bank | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically must be paid promptly | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
algeria:
Varies; can reach up to several thousand dinars
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
algeria:
Heavy fines, possible jail time
malaysia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
algeria:
Fines imposed for non-compliance
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
algeria:
Fines imposed, may include points on license
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
algeria:
Possible; also through post or bank
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
Payment: Deadline
algeria:
Varies; typically must be paid promptly
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay