Driving Differences: Bahamas vs. Malaysia Explained
When it comes to navigating the roads, understanding the contrasts between the Bahamas and Malaysia is essential for ensuring a secure journey. From lane markings and speed limits to the regulations governing overtaking, these countries showcase distinct driving customs. Discover the key variations that can impact your travel experience and enhance your road safety abroad.
Lanes
| Bahamas | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Not allowed. | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Not common. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bahamas:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Left
bahamas:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bahamas:
Not allowed.
malaysia:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bahamas:
List length: 5
malaysia:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
Not common.
malaysia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bahamas:
No
malaysia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bahamas:
N/A
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bahamas:
N/A
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bahamas:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bahamas | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25 mph | 30-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 mph | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 45 mph | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 45 mph | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 45 mph | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | No highways | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | No highways | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | No highways | 80-90 km/h |
| Speed Units | mph | km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
bahamas:
25 mph
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bahamas:
25 mph
malaysia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
45 mph
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
45 mph
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
45 mph
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bahamas:
No highways
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bahamas:
No highways
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bahamas:
No highways
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Speed Units
bahamas:
mph
malaysia:
km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bahamas:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Signals
| Bahamas | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Malaysia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Malay and English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bahamas:
Not used
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
Traffic Signs: Language
bahamas:
English; symbols are standard
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bahamas | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bahamas:
Prohibited
malaysia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bahamas:
Varies by location; check for signs
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bahamas | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles | Required yearly for roadworthiness |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bahamas:
Yes, annual inspections required for all vehicles
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bahamas:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Bahamas | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used nationwide |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bahamas:
0.05%
malaysia:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bahamas:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
Enforcement: Fines
bahamas:
Varies; can be substantial
malaysia:
Substantial fines
Emergency Services
| Bahamas | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 919 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bahamas:
919
malaysia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
bahamas:
911
malaysia:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bahamas:
Check with your insurance provider
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bahamas:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malaysia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bahamas | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $500, points on license | Varies; RM150 and above |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $25 to $200, points may apply | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $300, points may apply | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $500, points on license | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or by mail | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations |
Common Fines: Speeding
bahamas:
Varies; $50 to $500, points on license
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bahamas:
$25 to $200, points may apply
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
bahamas:
$50 to $300, points may apply
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bahamas:
$100 to $500, points on license
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bahamas:
Yes; can also be paid online or by mail
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations