Driving in Brunei vs. Malaysia: Key Differences Explained
When comparing the road rules and regulations of Brunei and Malaysia, striking contrasts emerge. From speed limits to overtaking practices, each nation has unique stipulations that affect road safety. Understanding these variances is crucial for a secure driving experience abroad, whether you're navigating urban jungles or rural highways.
Lanes
| Brunei | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; 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.
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Left
brunei:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
malaysia:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
brunei:
List length: 5
malaysia:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
malaysia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
malaysia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
brunei:
50 km/h
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
malaysia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brunei:
100 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Signals
| Brunei | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Not used in Malaysia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | Malay and English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
Documentation
| Brunei | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Required yearly for roadworthiness |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Brunei | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used nationwide |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
malaysia:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
malaysia:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
malaysia:
Substantial fines
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
malaysia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
malaysia:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malaysia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; RM150 and above |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations |
| 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
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay