Driving in Brunei vs. Sri Lanka: Key Differences Revealed
Explore the unique nuances of road regulations between Brunei and Sri Lanka, where driving norms diverge significantly. Key distinctions include lane usage for overtaking and varying speed limits in urban and rural areas. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either destination.
Lanes
| Brunei | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Allowed when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Overtaking: On Left
brunei:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
sri lanka:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
sri lanka:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brunei:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Brunei | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
brunei:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Documentation
| Brunei | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Displayed on windshield |
| 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
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
sri lanka:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brunei:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Brunei | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
| 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
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
sri lanka:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay