Brunei vs Germany: Key Driving Differences Explained
When exploring the distinct road rules between Brunei and Germany, travelers will discover fascinating contrasts in traffic regulations and vehicle operation. From driving sides to speed limits, the nuances of each country’s road etiquette shape the overall experience. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Brunei | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. |
| 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. Bicycles may be allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
brunei:
Left
germany:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
brunei:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brunei:
Use leftmost lane.
germany:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
germany:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
germany:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
germany:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
germany:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
germany:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
germany:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
germany:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
germany:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
germany:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
germany:
Common
Signals
| Brunei | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Indicates the light is about to change to green |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | German; 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
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
germany:
German; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Brunei | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Brunei | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Mandatory, every 2 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Displayed on rear license plate |
| 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
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
germany:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory
germany:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brunei | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial, varies by offense |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
germany:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
germany:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
germany:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
germany:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
germany:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
germany:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
germany:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
germany:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | €30 to €60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | €90 to €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
germany:
€30 to €60
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
germany:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
germany:
Common
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay