Driving in Bhutan vs. Malaysia: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the distinctive driving landscapes of Bhutan and Malaysia, travelers will encounter notable variations in road regulations and safety measures. Key differences include speed limits, lane usage, and documentation requirements, all essential for ensuring a secure journey. Understanding these contrasts is vital for a safe driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | 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
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bhutan:
List length: 5
malaysia:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
malaysia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
malaysia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
malaysia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
malaysia:
Yes
Signals
| Bhutan | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Not used in Malaysia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Malay and English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bhutan | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Required yearly for roadworthiness |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; checkpoints used nationwide |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Substantial fines |
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
malaysia:
Substantial fines
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bhutan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
malaysia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
malaysia:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; RM150 and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
malaysia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay