Driving Differences: Brunei vs. Hong Kong
When exploring the unique road regulations of Brunei and Hong Kong, drivers will discover notable contrasts that influence their travel experiences. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol consumption thresholds. Understanding these variances is essential for ensuring a secure and compliant journey in either destination.
Lanes
| Brunei | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Yes, overtaking should be done on the right. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
hong kong:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
brunei:
Yes
hong kong:
Prohibited; left is the normal driving lane
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
hong kong:
Yes, overtaking should be done on the right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
hong kong:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
hong kong:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
hong kong:
Labeled 'BUS ONLY' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
hong kong:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
hong kong:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
hong kong:
Bicycle symbols painted on road surfaces.
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | No; fines are usually sent by mail |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
hong kong:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
hong kong:
70-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
hong kong:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
hong kong:
No; fines are usually sent by mail
Signals
| Brunei | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Used when lights are about to turn green |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | Chinese and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
hong kong:
Used when lights are about to turn green
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
hong kong:
Chinese and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
hong kong:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Brunei | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by sign |
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
hong kong:
Permitted unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Brunei | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
hong kong:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
hong kong:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
hong kong:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
hong kong:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory
hong kong:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Brunei | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | HK$5,000 or more for first offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
hong kong:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
hong kong:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
hong kong:
Common, checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
hong kong:
HK$5,000 or more for first offenses
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | Varies; usually contact through 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
hong kong:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
hong kong:
Varies; usually contact through 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
hong kong:
Check with your insurance provider or member services like AA
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Hong kong | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | HK$5,000, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | HK$2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | HK$900, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
hong kong:
Varies; HK$450 to HK$1,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
hong kong:
HK$5,000, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
hong kong:
HK$2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
hong kong:
HK$900, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
hong kong:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
hong kong:
Varies; typically 14 to 30 days to pay