Driving in Austria vs. Brunei: Key Differences Explained
Austrian and Bruneian road regulations exhibit notable variations that impact motorists' experiences. While Austria drives on the right and enforces speed limits of up to 130 km/h, Brunei adheres to left-side driving with lower limits of 100 km/h. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring safe navigation in each country.
Lanes
| Austria | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
austria:
Right
brunei:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
brunei:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
austria:
Use rightmost lane.
brunei:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
brunei:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
brunei:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
brunei:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
brunei:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
austria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
brunei:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
brunei:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
brunei:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
brunei:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 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; fines may also be mailed. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
brunei:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
brunei:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
brunei:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
brunei:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
brunei:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
brunei:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
brunei:
Yes
Signals
| Austria | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Brunei |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Malay; English used for important signs |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
brunei:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Austria | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
brunei:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Austria | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Annually required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Not used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
brunei:
Annually required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
brunei:
Not used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
brunei:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
austria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Austria | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
brunei:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
brunei:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Austria | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
austria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Austria | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 991 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 993 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
austria:
112
brunei:
991
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
brunei:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | B$150 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | B$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | B$250 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
brunei:
B$150
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
brunei:
B$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
brunei:
B$250
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
brunei:
Yes