Brunei vs Poland: Essential Driving Differences Explained
Explore the unique road regulations and practices of Brunei and Poland as we delve into their driving nuances. From lane usage to speed limits, these countries showcase contrasting approaches—Brunei drives on the left while Poland favors the right. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and smooth journey abroad.
Lanes
Brunei | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Driving Side | Left | Right |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary markings, such as during road works. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe. |
Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads. |
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified. |
Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' on the road. |
Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
brunei:
Left
poland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
poland:
Used for temporary markings, such as during road works.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
brunei:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
poland:
Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
poland:
Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brunei:
Use leftmost lane.
poland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
poland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
poland:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
poland:
Labeled 'BUS' on the road.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
poland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
poland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
poland:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
poland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
Brunei | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 90 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 | 140 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. |
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
poland:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
poland:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
poland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
poland:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
poland:
140 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
poland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
poland:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation.
Signals
Brunei | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Signals a change to green is imminent. |
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory | Yes, for all turns and lane changes | Yes, for all turns and lane changes. |
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. |
Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | Polish; symbols are standard. |
Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
brunei:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
poland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
poland:
Signals a change to green is imminent.
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory
brunei:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes
poland:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
brunei:
Signal when exiting
poland:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Allowed
brunei:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
poland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
brunei:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
poland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
brunei:
Fines may apply for misuse
poland:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
brunei:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
poland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
brunei:
Not to be used to signal other messages
poland:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
brunei:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
poland:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
brunei:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
poland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
poland:
Polish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
brunei:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
poland:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
poland:
Triangular with red border.
Turns
Brunei | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed only if a green arrow is present. |
Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by location; check for signs. |
Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
poland:
Allowed only if a green arrow is present.
Left Turn: General
brunei:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
poland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
brunei:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
poland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
poland:
Varies by location; check for signs.
Special Turn Lanes
brunei:
Yes, marked with arrows
poland:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
brunei:
Prohibited
poland:
Prohibited.
Documentation
Brunei | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended. |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted with International Driving Permit. |
Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Mandatory every year. |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Displayed on windshield. |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
brunei:
Valid driver's license required
poland:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
poland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
poland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit.
Insurance
brunei:
Liability insurance mandatory
poland:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
poland:
Mandatory every year.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
poland:
Displayed on windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
Brunei | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
brunei:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
poland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
brunei:
Discouraged, fines may apply
poland:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
brunei:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
poland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
brunei:
Discouraged and may be penalized
poland:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
brunei:
Only in emergency situations
poland:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brunei:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
poland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
brunei:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
poland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
poland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
brunei:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
poland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
Brunei | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used frequently. |
Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial. |
Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
poland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
poland:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
brunei:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
poland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
brunei:
Check if medication affects driving ability
poland:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
poland:
Common; checkpoints used frequently.
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
poland:
Varies; can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
brunei:
Possible for severe offenses
poland:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
brunei:
Can result in license suspension
poland:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
Brunei | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
brunei:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
poland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
brunei:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
poland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
brunei:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
poland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
poland:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
brunei:
Use for first exit or straight
poland:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
brunei:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
poland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
Brunei | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 112 |
Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 997 |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 981 or through your insurance provider. |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
poland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
poland:
997
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
poland:
981 or through your insurance provider.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
Brunei | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles. |
Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | Mandatory, fines apply. |
Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | Fines apply for use without hands-free device. |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | Fines and license points apply. |
Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Rare; usually paid online or by mail. |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay. |
Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
poland:
Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles.
Common Fines: Alcohol
brunei:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
poland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
poland:
Mandatory, fines apply.
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
poland:
Fines apply for use without hands-free device.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
poland:
Fines and license points apply.
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
poland:
Rare; usually paid online or by mail.
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
poland:
Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
brunei:
Same as residents; must be paid
poland:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
brunei:
Possible if fines are not paid
poland:
Possible if fines are not paid.