Brunei vs Myanmar: Key Driving Differences You Need to Know
When venturing from Brunei to Myanmar, understanding the contrasts in road regulations and practices is vital for ensuring a secure journey. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides, varying speed limits, and different traffic protocols. This comparison sheds light on essential factors that every traveler should consider for a safer driving experience in these unique countries.
Lanes
| Brunei | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No, overtaking is on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
brunei:
Left
myanmar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
brunei:
Yes
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
myanmar:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
myanmar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
myanmar:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
myanmar:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
brunei:
50 km/h
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
myanmar:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
myanmar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
myanmar:
50 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brunei:
100 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
myanmar:
70 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
myanmar:
N/A
Signals
| Brunei | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Not used in Myanmar |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | Burmese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
Turns
| Brunei | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Prohibited unless permitted by signs |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
Documentation
| Brunei | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Displayed on the 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
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, more common in cities |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brunei:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brunei | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.07% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Less common; often during festivals |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to arrest and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
myanmar:
0.07%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
myanmar:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
myanmar:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
brunei:
Can result in license suspension
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
myanmar:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Available through some insurance providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
myanmar:
199
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
myanmar:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
myanmar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | Fine enforced; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | Fines for usage while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | Fines applied for violations |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; else must be paid at office |
| 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
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
myanmar:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay