Brunei vs India: Key Driving Differences for Safe Travel
When navigating the roads of Brunei and India, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their travel experience. From lane markings and speed limits to emergency protocols, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring safety abroad. Explore the unique driving customs of each country to drive with confidence and caution.
Lanes
| Brunei | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Yes, but only when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some metropolitan areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
brunei:
Yes
india:
No
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
india:
Yes, in some areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
india:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
india:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
india:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
india:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities and highways |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
brunei:
50 km/h
india:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
india:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
india:
60-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
india:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brunei:
100 km/h
india:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
india:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
brunei:
Yes
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
india:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Brunei | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Not used in India |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common due to varied vehicle conditions |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | English and local languages; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
india:
Not used in India
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brunei:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
brunei:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
india:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Brunei | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
Left Turn: General
brunei:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Brunei | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | PUC sticker displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
india:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass |
Use Of Horn: Limited
brunei:
Only in emergency situations
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brunei:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
Pedestrians Priority
brunei:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
Alcohol
| Brunei | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by state; fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
india:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
india:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
brunei:
Can result in license suspension
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Brunei | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
brunei:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
Emergency Services
| Brunei | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
india:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay