Driving in Colombia vs. Malaysia: Key Differences Explained
When venturing into the vibrant roads of Colombia or the dynamic streets of Malaysia, understanding their unique driving customs is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving sides—right in Colombia and left in Malaysia—as well as varying speed limits and overtaking regulations. Discover these crucial variations to navigate confidently abroad.
Lanes
| Colombia | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
Driving Side
colombia:
Right
malaysia:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
colombia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Left
colombia:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
malaysia:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
colombia:
List length: 5
malaysia:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
colombia:
Use rightmost lane.
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
malaysia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
malaysia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
malaysia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
malaysia:
Yes
Signals
| Colombia | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Malaysia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Malay and English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
Traffic Signs: Language
colombia:
Spanish; symbols are standard
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Colombia | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
malaysia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Colombia | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Required yearly for roadworthiness |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
colombia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Colombia | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common; checkpoints used nationwide |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Substantial fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
malaysia:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
malaysia:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
malaysia:
Substantial fines
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
malaysia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Colombia | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
colombia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
malaysia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
malaysia:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, points on license | Varies; RM150 and above |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | $50 to $150, points on license | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations