Driving Differences: Brunei vs. Costa Rica Uncovered
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and practices between Brunei and Costa Rica. From driving sides to speed limits, this comparison reveals key distinctions, such as Brunei's left-side driving and strict zero-tolerance on alcohol, versus Costa Rica's varied urban speeds and more lenient alcohol limit. Stay informed and drive safely abroad!
Lanes
| Brunei | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are generally static. |
Driving Side
brunei:
Left
costa rica:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brunei:
Use leftmost lane.
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
costa rica:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
costa rica:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
costa rica:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
costa rica:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are generally static. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside |
Urban Areas: Standard
brunei:
50 km/h
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
costa rica:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brunei:
100 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
costa rica:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
brunei:
Yes
costa rica:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
Signals
| Brunei | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Not used in Costa Rica |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brunei:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Brunei | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
Documentation
| Brunei | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Annual inspection required; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
costa rica:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
costa rica:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use is common to signal intentions |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brunei:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brunei | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints are used throughout |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
costa rica:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
costa rica:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
costa rica:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 911 or direct number depending on location |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
costa rica:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
costa rica:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
costa rica:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Costa rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | Fines applicable for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | Fines applicable for non-compliance |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Common; police may issue fines on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
brunei:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
costa rica:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay