Driving in Brunei vs. Czech Republic: Key Differences
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for a safe journey. This comparison between Brunei and the Czech Republic reveals distinct contrasts, such as driving on opposite sides, varying speed limits, and the presence of specialized lanes. Familiarizing yourself with these disparities can significantly enhance your driving experience in these unique countries.
Lanes
| Brunei | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Used for marking no-parking zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used for temporary traffic situations. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or specific 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
brunei:
Left
czech republic:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
brunei:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
czech republic:
Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brunei:
Use leftmost lane.
czech republic:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
czech republic:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
czech republic:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
czech republic:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
czech republic:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 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, commonly applied |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
czech republic:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
czech republic:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
Signals
| Brunei | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Not used. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | Czech; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
brunei:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
czech republic:
Not used.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
brunei:
Signal when exiting
czech republic:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
brunei:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brunei:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
Horn Usage: Penalties
brunei:
Fines may apply for misuse
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
brunei:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
czech republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
brunei:
Not to be used to signal other messages
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
brunei:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
brunei:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
brunei:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
Turns
| Brunei | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
Left Turn: General
brunei:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
brunei:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
brunei:
Yes, marked with arrows
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
brunei:
Prohibited
czech republic:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Brunei | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted without International Driving Permit. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended or required. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Annual inspection mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Displayed on the windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
brunei:
Valid driver's license required
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
Insurance
brunei:
Liability insurance mandatory
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
brunei:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
brunei:
Discouraged, fines may apply
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
brunei:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
brunei:
Discouraged and may be penalized
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
brunei:
Only in emergency situations
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brunei:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
brunei:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
brunei:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Brunei | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, often at checkpoints. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
brunei:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
brunei:
Check if medication affects driving ability
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
brunei:
Possible for severe offenses
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
brunei:
Can result in license suspension
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| 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. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
brunei:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
brunei:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
brunei:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
brunei:
Use for first exit or straight
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
brunei:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
czech republic:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
czech republic:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | €100 or higher, points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Common, cash preferred. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
Common Fines: Alcohol
brunei:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
brunei:
Same as residents; must be paid
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
brunei:
Possible if fines are not paid
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.