Driving in Brunei vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Brunei and Norway, unique driving regulations and practices come into play. This comparison highlights key distinctions, such as Brunei's left-side driving and the absence of bus lanes, contrasted with Norway's right-side navigation and dedicated paths for buses and cyclists. Understanding these variations is essential for safe travel in both nations.
Lanes
| Brunei | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| 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 'BUS ONLY'; 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
brunei:
Left
norway:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
brunei:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brunei:
Use leftmost lane.
norway:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
norway:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
norway:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 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 | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
Urban Areas: Standard
brunei:
50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
norway:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brunei:
100 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Brunei | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Not used in Norway |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
norway:
Not used in Norway
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Brunei | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Brunei | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | None |
| 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
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brunei | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
norway:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes, typically required |
| 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
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
brunei:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay