Brunei vs Thailand: Key Driving Differences Explained
When exploring the contrasting road rules of Brunei and Thailand, drivers must be aware of significant variations that impact their journeys. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol regulations and penalties, understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad. Prepare for a safer adventure by familiarizing yourself with these unique regulations!
Lanes
| Brunei | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
thailand:
Prohibited
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
thailand:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
thailand:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
thailand:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
thailand:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
thailand:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 50 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 | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
Urban Areas: Standard
brunei:
50 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
brunei:
100 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Signals
| Brunei | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Not used in Thailand |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Brunei | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Brunei | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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 | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
| 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
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
brunei:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brunei | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
thailand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
thailand:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
brunei:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Brunei | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Lane Usage: Left
brunei:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
thailand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Brunei | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
brunei:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days