Brunei vs Spain: A Guide to Driving Differences
Exploring the roads of Brunei and Spain reveals significant contrasts in traffic regulations and safety practices. While Brunei drives on the left with strict alcohol limits, Spain adopts a right-hand system with variable speed limits. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Brunei | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 unless on a one-way street. |
| 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' or 'TAXI'; 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 three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
brunei:
Left
spain:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brunei:
Use leftmost lane.
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80-90 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 | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Brunei | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Brunei | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Brunei | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| 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
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| 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
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brunei | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
brunei:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
spain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| 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
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
brunei:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay