Driving in Bhutan vs. Myanmar: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the varied road rules of Bhutan and Myanmar, drivers encounter intriguing contrasts that influence safety on the journey. From driving on different sides to speed limits and alcohol regulations, understanding these distinctions is essential for a secure experience. Discover how these two nations prioritize vehicular safety in unique ways.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | No, overtaking is on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bhutan:
Left
myanmar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
myanmar:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
myanmar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
myanmar:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
myanmar:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 30-40 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 | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 50 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 | 70 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
myanmar:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
myanmar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
myanmar:
50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
myanmar:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
myanmar:
70 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
myanmar:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
myanmar:
Yes
Signals
| Bhutan | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Not used in Myanmar |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Burmese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
Turns
| Bhutan | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Prohibited unless permitted by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the 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
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Moderate use, more common in cities |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.07% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Less common; often during festivals |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to arrest and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
myanmar:
0.07%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
myanmar:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bhutan:
Can result in license suspension
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Available through some insurance providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
myanmar:
199
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
myanmar:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Fine enforced; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines for usage while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines applied for violations |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; else must be paid at office |
| 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
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
myanmar:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
myanmar:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay