Driving in Brunei vs. Iceland: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Brunei and Iceland, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that impact their journey. Key differences include driving on the left in Brunei versus the right in Iceland, as well as varying speed limits and protocols for emergency vehicles. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Brunei | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
brunei:
Left
iceland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
brunei:
List length: 5
iceland:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brunei:
Use leftmost lane.
iceland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
iceland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
iceland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
iceland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
iceland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h on gravel roads |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h on paved roads |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h on paved roads |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
iceland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brunei:
100 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
iceland:
N/A
Signals
| Brunei | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | N/A |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | N/A |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | Icelandic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
iceland:
N/A
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
brunei:
Signal when exiting
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
brunei:
Fines may apply for misuse
iceland:
N/A
Hand Signals: Common Usage
brunei:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Brunei | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Brunei | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Annual inspection 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
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
iceland:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
iceland:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brunei | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
iceland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
iceland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
iceland:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Test Refusal
brunei:
Can result in license suspension
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
brunei:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact local towing services or insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
iceland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
iceland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
iceland:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame