Brunei vs Ecuador: Driving Norms You Need to Know
When navigating the roads of Brunei and Ecuador, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences behind the wheel. From varying traffic rules and lane usage to unique speed limits, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Explore the key distinctions that can impact your travel in these two countries.
Lanes
| Brunei | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with motor vehicles in some areas. |
| 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
brunei:
Left
ecuador:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
ecuador:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
ecuador:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brunei:
Use leftmost lane.
ecuador:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
ecuador:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
ecuador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
ecuador:
Labeled with 'BUS' in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
ecuador:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
ecuador:
Shared with motor vehicles in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
ecuador:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
ecuador:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
ecuador:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 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 | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; often applied for traffic violations. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
ecuador:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
ecuador:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
ecuador:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
ecuador:
70 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brunei:
100 km/h
ecuador:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
ecuador:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
ecuador:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
ecuador:
Yes; often applied for traffic violations.
Signals
| Brunei | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 in Ecuador |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | Spanish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with white background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
brunei:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
ecuador:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
ecuador:
Not used in Ecuador
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brunei:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
ecuador:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
brunei:
Fines may apply for misuse
ecuador:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
ecuador:
Spanish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
ecuador:
Triangle-shaped with white background
Turns
| Brunei | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign permits. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal. |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
ecuador:
Prohibited unless a sign permits.
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
ecuador:
Allowed where signposted or when safe and legal.
Documentation
| Brunei | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 is 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: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
ecuador:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
ecuador:
Annual inspection is mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
ecuador:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
ecuador:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory
ecuador:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Frequent use in urban areas. |
| 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
ecuador:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
brunei:
Discouraged, fines may apply
ecuador:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
brunei:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
ecuador:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
brunei:
Discouraged and may be penalized
ecuador:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
brunei:
Only in emergency situations
ecuador:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brunei:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
ecuador:
Frequent use in urban areas.
Pedestrians Priority
brunei:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
ecuador:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
ecuador:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
brunei:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
ecuador:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Brunei | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| 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; police frequently set up checkpoints. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; significant fines imposed. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
ecuador:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
ecuador:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
brunei:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
ecuador:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
brunei:
Check if medication affects driving ability
ecuador:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
ecuador:
Common; police frequently set up checkpoints.
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
ecuador:
Varies; significant fines imposed.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
brunei:
Possible for severe offenses
ecuador:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
brunei:
Can result in license suspension
ecuador:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
ecuador:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
brunei:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
ecuador:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
brunei:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
ecuador:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
ecuador:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
brunei:
Use for first exit or straight
ecuador:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
brunei:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
ecuador:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 911 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | Use general emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Available through insurance companies or auto clubs. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
ecuador:
911 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
ecuador:
Use general emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
ecuador:
Available through insurance companies or auto clubs.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
ecuador:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
ecuador:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Ecuador | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; can be substantial based on speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and possible imprisonment. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | Fines apply; varies by infraction. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | Hefty fines for violations. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes; often required. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties. |
| 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
ecuador:
Varies; can be substantial based on speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
brunei:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
ecuador:
Severe fines and possible imprisonment.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
ecuador:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts.
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
ecuador:
Fines apply; varies by infraction.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
ecuador:
Hefty fines for violations.
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
ecuador:
Yes; often required.
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
ecuador:
Varies; fines must be paid promptly to avoid additional penalties.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
brunei:
Same as residents; must be paid
ecuador:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
brunei:
Possible if fines are not paid
ecuador:
Possible if fines are not paid.