Driving in Brunei vs Italy: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Brunei and Italy, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences. Key differences include driving on the left in Brunei versus the right in Italy, contrasting speed limits, and unique traffic signals. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Brunei | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
brunei:
Left
italy:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
brunei:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
italy:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brunei:
Use leftmost lane.
italy:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
italy:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
italy:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
italy:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
italy:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
italy:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
italy:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
italy:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
italy:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Brunei | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Used; prepare to go when green appears |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | Italian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Brunei | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Brunei | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Displayed on 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
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
italy:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
italy:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory
italy:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
italy:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brunei | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
italy:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
italy:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
italy:
Substantial
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
italy:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 113 (State Police) |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 116 (ACI) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
italy:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
italy:
113 (State Police)
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
italy:
116 (ACI)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
italy:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
italy:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | Varies; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | Fines apply, strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | Fines apply, may include points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible, especially for foreign drivers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
italy:
Varies; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days