Driving in Brunei vs. Portugal: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Brunei and Portugal, understanding the distinct traffic regulations is essential for a secure journey. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol policies and emergency contacts, these countries exhibit notable contrasts. Familiarizing yourself with these driving norms helps ensure safety and compliance while exploring diverse landscapes.
Lanes
| Brunei | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Prohibited. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
brunei:
Left
portugal:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
portugal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brunei:
Use leftmost lane.
portugal:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
portugal:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
portugal:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
portugal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 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 | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 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 | Possible |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
portugal:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Brunei | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Not used in Portugal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Brunei | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Brunei | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Periodic inspections required; proof may be 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
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
portugal:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brunei | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially during holidays |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
portugal:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
portugal:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible |
| 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
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay