Driving Differences: Australia vs. Myanmar Explained
Discover the essential distinctions in road regulations and driving customs between Australia and Myanmar. From varied speed limits to unique overtaking rules and the presence of cycle lanes, understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Navigate the complexities of driving abroad with confidence and stay safe while exploring new territories.
Lanes
| Australia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Marks the 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 | No, overtaking is on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. |
| 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 |
Driving Side
australia:
Left
myanmar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
myanmar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
myanmar:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
australia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
australia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
myanmar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
myanmar:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
myanmar:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
myanmar:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
myanmar:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 70 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
australia:
50 km/h
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
myanmar:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
myanmar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
myanmar:
50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
myanmar:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
myanmar:
70 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
myanmar:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
myanmar:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
myanmar:
Yes
Signals
| Australia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in Myanmar |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Burmese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
myanmar:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
australia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
Turns
| Australia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Prohibited unless permitted by signs |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
Documentation
| Australia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
| 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.
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, more common in cities |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
australia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Australia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.07% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Less common; often during festivals |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to arrest and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
australia:
0.05%
myanmar:
0.07%
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
myanmar:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
myanmar:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
australia:
Can result in license suspension
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
Roundabouts
| Australia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | 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
myanmar:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
myanmar:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
myanmar:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Available through some insurance providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
myanmar:
199
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
myanmar:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
myanmar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | Fine enforced; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | Fines for usage while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Fines applied for violations |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Possible; else must be paid at office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
myanmar:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay