Driving Differences: Brunei vs. Singapore for Safe Travels
When traveling between Brunei and Singapore, understanding their distinct road regulations is essential for ensuring a secure experience. Key contrasts include overtaking rules, the presence of bus and cycle lanes, and varying speed limits. By familiarizing yourself with these driving nuances, you can navigate both countries with confidence and care.
Lanes
| Brunei | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Not allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| 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: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
singapore:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
singapore:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
singapore:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
singapore:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brunei:
100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Brunei | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Not used in Singapore |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Brunei | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed. |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
singapore:
Not allowed.
Documentation
| Brunei | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Display not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones |
Flashing Lights: Usage
brunei:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Pedestrians Priority
brunei:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Alcohol
| Brunei | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
singapore:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
singapore:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
singapore:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means