Driving in Bhutan vs. Indonesia: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Bhutan and Indonesia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their journey. Key contrasts include speed limits, bus lane usage, and alcohol limits, highlighting the diverse approaches to road safety. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience in each country.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with specific signage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Primarily in major cities, 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 |
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
indonesia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
indonesia:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
indonesia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
indonesia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
indonesia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
indonesia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
indonesia:
Common
Signals
| Bhutan | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Not used in Indonesia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Indonesian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bhutan | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Forbidden unless a sign permits it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Evidence of inspection may be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
indonesia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Frequent use in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Give way and make room |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
indonesia:
Give way and make room
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Varies by region; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
indonesia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
indonesia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
indonesia:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 112 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | Check local emergency numbers |
| 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 | Mandatory in case of breakdown |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended for safety |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
indonesia:
112 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; subject to local laws |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Subject to local laws, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines apply, enforced rigorously |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
indonesia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days