Driving Differences: Barbados vs. Brunei Explained
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of driving regulations is essential for ensuring safety on the road. This comparison between Barbados and Brunei unveils notable distinctions, from speed limits and lane markings to alcohol regulations. Familiarizing yourself with these crucial differences will help secure a safer driving experience in either country.
Lanes
| Barbados | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
brunei:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
brunei:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible in some cases | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
brunei:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
brunei:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
brunei:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
brunei:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
brunei:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
brunei:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
brunei:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
brunei:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
brunei:
Yes
Signals
| Barbados | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used in Brunei |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Malay; English used for important signs |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
Turns
| Barbados | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
brunei:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Barbados | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Usually not required for non-residents | Annually required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Not used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
brunei:
Annually required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
brunei:
Not used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
brunei:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Barbados | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
brunei:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
brunei:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
brunei:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 991 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | 993 |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
brunei:
991
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
brunei:
993
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | B$150 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | B$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | B$250 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
brunei:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
brunei:
B$150
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
brunei:
B$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
brunei:
B$250
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
brunei:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay