Driving in Brunei vs Madagascar: Key Differences Explained
When traversing the roads of Brunei and Madagascar, drivers encounter striking contrasts in regulations and practices. From the left-hand driving in Brunei to the right-hand maneuvering in Madagascar, understanding these distinctions is crucial. Explore how speed limits, signaling norms, and road etiquette vary significantly, ensuring a safer journey in unfamiliar terrains.
Lanes
| Brunei | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Typically not used. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Stay to the right lane when possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Sparse |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with vehicles unless marked. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes | Yes, when possible. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are fixed. |
Driving Side
brunei:
Left
madagascar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brunei:
Use leftmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
madagascar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
madagascar:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
brunei:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 50 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 | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, particularly in urban areas. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brunei:
100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
madagascar:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
brunei:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Brunei | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | May apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
brunei:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brunei:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
brunei:
Fines may apply for misuse
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
brunei:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
brunei:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Brunei | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Brunei | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Indication may vary |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
madagascar:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Use is more frequent in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Significantly used for communication with other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
brunei:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
brunei:
Only in emergency situations
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brunei:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
brunei:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Alcohol
| Brunei | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
madagascar:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
brunei:
Can result in license suspension
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Not commonly practiced |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
brunei:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
madagascar:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
madagascar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Determined by issuing authority |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
brunei:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority