Brunei vs Switzerland: Driving Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Brunei and Switzerland, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that can significantly influence their travel experience. From the contrasting driving sides to varied speed limits and road etiquette, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring safety and compliance while navigating each country's unique traffic landscape.
Lanes
| Brunei | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary road changes or construction zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used in temporary traffic management. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
brunei:
Left
switzerland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
switzerland:
Used for temporary road changes or construction zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
brunei:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
switzerland:
Used in temporary traffic management.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
switzerland:
Not typically allowed, except in certain slow-moving traffic situations.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
brunei:
Use leftmost lane.
switzerland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
switzerland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
switzerland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
switzerland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
switzerland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
switzerland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 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 | Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
brunei:
50 km/h
switzerland:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
switzerland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
switzerland:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
switzerland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
switzerland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
switzerland:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
switzerland:
Yes, drivers can be fined on the spot.
Signals
| Brunei | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Prepare to go |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
switzerland:
Prepare to go
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
switzerland:
Symbols are standard, French, German, Italian and Rumantsch languages are used
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
switzerland:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Brunei | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
switzerland:
Prohibited unless a specific sign allows it
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
switzerland:
Allowed unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Brunei | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
switzerland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended for non-French/German/Italian speaking licenses
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
switzerland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
switzerland:
Vehicle inspection is required regularly; proof must be available
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
switzerland:
Proof of inspection is kept in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
switzerland:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
switzerland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brunei | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; police conduct random breath tests |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial; fines can be based on income |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
switzerland:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
switzerland:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
switzerland:
Common; police conduct random breath tests
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
switzerland:
Substantial; fines can be based on income
Test Refusal
brunei:
Can result in license suspension
switzerland:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signaling normally required when entering |
| 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 the first exit or straight |
Signaling: Entering
brunei:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
switzerland:
No signaling normally required when entering
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
switzerland:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
brunei:
Use for first exit or straight
switzerland:
Use for the first exit or straight
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | 140 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
switzerland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
switzerland:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
switzerland:
140
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
switzerland:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | CHF 60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | CHF 100 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Common; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
switzerland:
Varies; CHF 40 to CHF 400+, can lead to license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
switzerland:
CHF 60
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
switzerland:
CHF 100
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
switzerland:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
switzerland:
Common; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
switzerland:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay