Driving Differences: Bhutan vs. Brunei Uncovered
When navigating the roads of Bhutan and Brunei, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly impact their travel experiences. Key differences include lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol tolerance, with Bhutan allowing right-side overtaking while Brunei enforces zero alcohol limits. Understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a safe journey in each country.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
brunei:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
brunei:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
brunei:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
brunei:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
brunei:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
brunei:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
brunei:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
brunei:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
brunei:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
brunei:
Yes
Signals
| Bhutan | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Not used in Brunei |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Malay; English used for important signs |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
Turns
| Bhutan | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | 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 | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annually required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Not used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
brunei:
Annually required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
brunei:
Not used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
brunei:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
brunei:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
brunei:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
brunei:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bhutan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 991 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 993 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
brunei:
991
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
brunei:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | 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 enforced | B$150 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | B$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | B$250 |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
brunei:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
brunei:
B$150
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
brunei:
B$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
brunei:
B$250
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay