Driving in Canada vs. Indonesia: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Canada and Indonesia, understanding their distinct driving regulations is essential for ensuring your well-being. This comparison highlights key contrasts, such as driving on the right versus the left, varying speed limits, and unique lane usage practices. Familiarizing yourself with these critical distinctions can enhance your travel experience and promote safety abroad.
Lanes
| Canada | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | May indicate passing zones on two-way roads when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not usual; however, allowed in some circumstances when the vehicle in front is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some lanes may allow taxis and cyclists. | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be labeled with signs or road marking such as 'BUS' | Labeled with specific signage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green paint. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
canada:
Right
indonesia:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
canada:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
indonesia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
canada:
May indicate passing zones on two-way roads when safe.
indonesia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
canada:
Yes
indonesia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
canada:
Not usual; however, allowed in some circumstances when the vehicle in front is turning left.
indonesia:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
canada:
Use rightmost lane.
indonesia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
canada:
Reserved for buses; some lanes may allow taxis and cyclists.
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
canada:
May be labeled with signs or road marking such as 'BUS'
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
canada:
Yes
indonesia:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
canada:
Exclusive for bicycles.
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
canada:
Bicycle symbols and often green paint.
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
canada:
Yes
indonesia:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
canada:
Minimum two occupants
indonesia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
canada:
Yes
indonesia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
canada:
Electronic signs display current limits.
indonesia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Canada | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-110 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, but varies by province | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
canada:
40-50 km/h
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
canada:
40 km/h
indonesia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
canada:
80-100 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
canada:
80-100 km/h
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
canada:
80-100 km/h
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
canada:
100-120 km/h
indonesia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
canada:
100-120 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
canada:
90-110 km/h
indonesia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
canada:
Yes
indonesia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
canada:
Electronic signs display current limits
indonesia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
canada:
Yes, but varies by province
indonesia:
Common
Signals
| Canada | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Canada | Not used in Indonesia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bilingual (English and French in some areas); symbols are standard | Indonesian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
canada:
Not used in Canada
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
Traffic Signs: Language
canada:
Bilingual (English and French in some areas); symbols are standard
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
canada:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Canada | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed in most provinces, unless prohibited by a sign. | Forbidden unless a sign permits it |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by province and locality; check for signs | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
canada:
Allowed in most provinces, unless prohibited by a sign.
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
U- Turns Allowed
canada:
Varies by province and locality; check for signs
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Canada | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Insurance | Mandatory liability insurance | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by province; proof may be required | Yes, periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some provinces | Evidence of inspection may be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
canada:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
canada:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
Insurance
canada:
Mandatory liability insurance
indonesia:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
canada:
Varies by province; proof may be required
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
canada:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some provinces
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
indonesia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Canada | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in traffic |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Give way and make room |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
canada:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
canada:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
indonesia:
Give way and make room
Alcohol
| Canada | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%, zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by province; can be substantial | Varies by region; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
canada:
0.08%
indonesia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
canada:
0.04%
indonesia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
canada:
0.00%, zero tolerance
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
canada:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
indonesia:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
canada:
Varies by province; can be substantial
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Canada | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 or 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Depends on province; often 911 | Check local emergency numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or CAA | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory in case of breakdown |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended for safety |
Contact: General Emergency
canada:
911
indonesia:
112 or 110
Contact: Traffic Police
canada:
Depends on province; often 911
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
canada:
Check with your insurance provider or CAA
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
canada:
Recommended, not mandatory
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
Penalties And Fines
| Canada | Indonesia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; penalties increase by km/h over limit | Varies; subject to local laws |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Varies; often upwards of $200 | Subject to local laws, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Increasingly severe; often $200-$1000 or higher, points on license | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; often hundreds of dollars, points on license | Fines apply, enforced rigorously |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
canada:
Varies; penalties increase by km/h over limit
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
Common Fines: Seat Belts
canada:
Varies; often upwards of $200
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
canada:
Increasingly severe; often $200-$1000 or higher, points on license
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
canada:
Varies; often hundreds of dollars, points on license
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
Payment: On The Spot
canada:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
Payment: Deadline
canada:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days