Brunei vs Maldives: A Driving Safety Comparison
When exploring the roads of Brunei and the Maldives, understanding their unique regulations and practices is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, overtaking rules, and lane markings. This comparison highlights the fundamental variations between these two picturesque nations, ensuring drivers are well-prepared for their adventures abroad.
Lanes
| Brunei | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | May be designated with road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Minimal |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
brunei:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
Overtaking: On Left
brunei:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
brunei:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
brunei:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Brunei | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
brunei:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Brunei | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
brunei:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Brunei | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
brunei:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Brunei | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Appropriate lanes as per signage |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Appropriate lanes as per signage |
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
maldives:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
brunei:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
brunei:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
brunei:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time