Driving in Brunei vs. Ireland: Key Differences to Know
When navigating the roads of Brunei and Ireland, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their overall experience. Key variations include speed limits, overtaking rules, and the presence of dedicated lanes for buses and cyclists. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Brunei | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No, overtake on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Yes, standard overtaking side. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
brunei:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
brunei:
Yes
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
ireland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
ireland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
ireland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 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 | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
ireland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
ireland:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
ireland:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
ireland:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
Signals
| Brunei | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Indicates the light is about to turn green. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangles with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
brunei:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
brunei:
Signal when exiting
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brunei:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
Documentation
| Brunei | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
ireland:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Alcohol
| Brunei | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Random breath testing is common. |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
ireland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
ireland:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
ireland:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Required |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
ireland:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | €60 fine and two penalty points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | €60 fine and three penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | €80 and three penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay