Driving in Australia vs. Madagascar: Key Differences
Embarking on a journey in Australia or Madagascar? It's crucial to understand the contrasting road regulations and practices in these two diverse nations. From driving sides and speed limits to unique lane usages, this comparison highlights key distinctions that can significantly impact your travel experience and ensure your road safety abroad.
Lanes
| Australia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Typically not used. |
| 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. | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Stay to the right lane when possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Sparse |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles unless marked. |
| 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 |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes | Yes, when possible. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Speed limits are fixed. |
Driving Side
australia:
Left
madagascar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
madagascar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
madagascar:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
australia:
Use leftmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
australia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
australia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
madagascar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
madagascar:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
madagascar:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
australia:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
madagascar:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 80-100 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. | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, particularly in urban areas. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Yes, common. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
madagascar:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
madagascar:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
australia:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Australia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not commonly used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | May apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
madagascar:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
australia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
australia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
australia:
Fines may apply for misuse
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
australia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
australia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
australia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Australia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
madagascar:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Australia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Mandatory for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Indication may vary |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
madagascar:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Use is more frequent in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Significantly used for communication with other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
australia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
australia:
Only in emergency situations
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
australia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
australia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Alcohol
| Australia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
australia:
0.05%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
madagascar:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
australia:
Can result in license suspension
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Australia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Not commonly practiced |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit |
| 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
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
madagascar:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
madagascar:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
madagascar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Determined by issuing authority |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
australia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority