Brunei vs Philippines: Key Driving Differences Uncovered
Discover the contrasting road regulations and driving norms between Brunei and the Philippines. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol restrictions and emergency protocols, this comparison highlights crucial distinctions that can impact your journey. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience on the roads of these two unique countries.
Lanes
| Brunei | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. |
| 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 PUVs. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with motorcycles or 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 occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Driving Side
brunei:
Left
philippines:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
philippines:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brunei:
Use leftmost lane.
philippines:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
philippines:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
philippines:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
philippines:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
philippines:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 50 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
brunei:
50 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
brunei:
100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
brunei:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
| Brunei | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
philippines:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Brunei | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Documentation
| Brunei | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
brunei:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
philippines:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
philippines:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brunei:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
philippines:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brunei | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
philippines:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
philippines:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
philippines:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
philippines:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | PHP 300 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | PHP 1000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance