Driving Differences: Brunei vs United Kingdom
When it comes to navigating the roads of Brunei and the United Kingdom, drivers encounter contrasting rules and regulations that impact their travel experience. From lane markings and speed limits to emergency protocols, understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either nation. Explore the unique driving customs of each country for safer travels abroad.
Lanes
| Brunei | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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. |
Markings: Solid White Line
brunei:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
brunei:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
brunei:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
brunei:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Bus Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
brunei:
N/A
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
brunei:
N/A
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
brunei:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
brunei:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Brunei | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
brunei:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
brunei:
40 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
70-80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
brunei:
70-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
70-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
brunei:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
brunei:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
brunei:
80-100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
brunei:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
brunei:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
brunei:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
brunei:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Brunei | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Brunei | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay; English used for important signs | English; symbols are standard |
| 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
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
brunei:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Brunei | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
brunei:
Not allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
brunei:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
brunei:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Brunei | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with International Driving Permit | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Not used | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
brunei:
Annually required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
brunei:
Not used
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Brunei | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Brunei | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
brunei:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Fines
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Brunei | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| 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 first exit |
Signaling: Entering
brunei:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Signaling: Exiting
brunei:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united kingdom:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
brunei:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Brunei | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 991 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
Contact: General Emergency
brunei:
991
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
brunei:
993
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Penalties And Fines
| Brunei | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | B$150 | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | B$300 | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | B$250 | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
brunei:
B$150
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
brunei:
B$300
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
brunei:
B$250
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
brunei:
Yes
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay