Driving in Australia vs. Brunei: Key Safety Insights
When exploring the roads of Australia and Brunei, it's crucial to understand the distinct regulations that govern travel in each nation. Key differences include speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol restrictions. Familiarizing yourself with these driving nuances will enhance your journey and ensure a safer experience behind the wheel.
Lanes
| Australia | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
brunei:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
brunei:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
brunei:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
brunei:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
brunei:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
brunei:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
australia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
brunei:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
australia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
brunei:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
brunei:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
brunei:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
brunei:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
brunei:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
brunei:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
brunei:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
brunei:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
brunei:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
brunei:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
brunei:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
brunei:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
brunei:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
brunei:
Yes
Signals
| Australia | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in Brunei |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Malay; English used for important signs |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
brunei:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
Turns
| Australia | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
brunei:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Australia | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Annually required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Not used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
brunei:
Annually required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
brunei:
Not used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Alcohol
| Australia | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
australia:
0.05%
brunei:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
brunei:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Australia | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
brunei:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
brunei:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 991 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | 993 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
brunei:
991
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
brunei:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | B$150 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | B$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | B$250 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
brunei:
B$150
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
brunei:
B$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
brunei:
B$250
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
brunei:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay