Driving in Brunei vs. China: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the unique road regulations of Brunei and China, travelers can uncover crucial insights for safe navigation. Key distinctions include Brunei's left-side driving versus China's right, and the presence of dedicated bus and cycle lanes in China. Understanding these variations enhances driving confidence and ensures a secure experience on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Brunei | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Pedestrian crossings | Railroad crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane if possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
brunei:
Left
china:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
brunei:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
brunei:
List length: 5
china:
List length: 4
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
brunei:
Pedestrian crossings
china:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brunei:
Use leftmost lane.
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
china:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
china:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
china:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, especially in urban areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
brunei:
50 km/h
china:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
china:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
china:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
china:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
china:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brunei:
100 km/h
china:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
Signals
| Brunei | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Not used in China |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | Chinese; symbols also used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
china:
Not used in China
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brunei:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
Turns
| Brunei | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
Documentation
| Brunei | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid Chinese driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required for short visits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
brunei:
Valid driver's license required
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
china:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
china:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brunei:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brunei | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially near bars and clubs |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe fines, license suspension possible |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
china:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
Test Refusal
brunei:
Can result in license suspension
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
Roundabouts
| Brunei | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight ahead |
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
china:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
brunei:
Use for first exit or straight
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
Emergency Services
| Brunei | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | Same as general emergency; 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
china:
110
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
china:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
china:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | ¥50 to ¥200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | Fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
china:
¥50 to ¥200
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
china:
Fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
china:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay