Driving in Brunei vs. North Macedonia: Key Differences
Discover the nuances of road regulations as we delve into the driving landscapes of Brunei and North Macedonia. From lane usage and speed limits to emergency protocols, these two nations present intriguing contrasts. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Brunei | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Not typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and marked paths. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
brunei:
Left
north macedonia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brunei:
Use leftmost lane.
north macedonia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
north macedonia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
north macedonia:
N/A
Signals
| Brunei | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Prohibited in urban areas at night |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to signal other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
brunei:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brunei:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
brunei:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
brunei:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Brunei | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Brunei | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
brunei:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brunei | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
north macedonia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Brunei | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
north macedonia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Brunei | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
north macedonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay