Driving in Brunei vs Japan: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Brunei and Japan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly impact vehicular operations. Key contrasts emerge in lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol regulations, highlighting Japan's structured road environment compared to Brunei's more flexible approach. Understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring safe travels in both nations.
Lanes
| Brunei | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Left
brunei:
Yes
japan:
No
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
japan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
japan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 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: Standard
brunei:
50 km/h
japan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
japan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brunei:
100 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
japan:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Brunei | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Not used in Japan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
japan:
Not used in Japan
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
Turns
| Brunei | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Brunei | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Mandatory; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
japan:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Generally used sparingly |
Flashing Lights: Usage
brunei:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
japan:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brunei:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
japan:
Generally used sparingly
Alcohol
| Brunei | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Prohibited; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints may be set up |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
japan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
japan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or JAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
japan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
japan:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
japan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; substantial fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | Fines; enforceable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | Severe fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | Fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Rare; fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
brunei:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
japan:
Fines; enforceable
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
japan:
Fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days