Driving in Costa Rica vs. Malaysia: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Costa Rica and Malaysia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their journey. Notably, Costa Rica drives on the right, while Malaysia opts for the left. Additionally, the approach to overtaking, lane usage, and speed limits varies significantly, highlighting the importance of understanding these nuances for safe travels abroad.
Lanes
| Costa rica | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Buses typically use regular traffic lanes. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
Driving Side
costa rica:
Right
malaysia:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
costa rica:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Left
costa rica:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
costa rica:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
malaysia:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
costa rica:
List length: 5
malaysia:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
costa rica:
Use rightmost lane.
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
No
malaysia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Buses typically use regular traffic lanes.
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
costa rica:
Limited
malaysia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
costa rica:
Shared roads marked or planned for cyclist use.
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
costa rica:
N/A
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
malaysia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Costa rica | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are generally static. | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may be issued by police roadside | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
costa rica:
25-40 km/h
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
costa rica:
25 km/h
malaysia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
60-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
costa rica:
80-100 km/h
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
costa rica:
80 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
costa rica:
80 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
costa rica:
Speed limits are generally static.
malaysia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
costa rica:
Limited use
malaysia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
costa rica:
Common; fines may be issued by police roadside
malaysia:
Yes
Signals
| Costa rica | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Costa Rica | Not used in Malaysia |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Malay and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
costa rica:
Not used in Costa Rica
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
costa rica:
Excessive use discouraged; can be subject to fines
malaysia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
costa rica:
Spanish; symbols are standard
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
costa rica:
Triangle-shaped with red border
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Costa rica | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
costa rica:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
malaysia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
costa rica:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Costa rica | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required; proof required | Required yearly for roadworthiness |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
costa rica:
Annual inspection required; proof required
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
costa rica:
Displayed on the windshield
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
costa rica:
Not mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Costa rica | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use is common to signal intentions | 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
costa rica:
Frequent use is common to signal intentions
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
costa rica:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Costa rica | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints are used throughout | Common; checkpoints used nationwide |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial; varies by offense severity | Substantial fines |
Limits: General Drivers
costa rica:
0.05%
malaysia:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
malaysia:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
costa rica:
0.00%
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
costa rica:
Common; checkpoints are used throughout
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
Enforcement: Fines
costa rica:
Can be substantial; varies by offense severity
malaysia:
Substantial fines
Roundabouts
| Costa rica | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
costa rica:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Costa rica | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or direct number depending on location | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
costa rica:
911
malaysia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
costa rica:
911 or direct number depending on location
malaysia:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
costa rica:
Contact your insurance provider or local services like INS
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
costa rica:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Costa rica | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above | Varies; RM150 and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-compliance | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use without hands-free | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable for non-compliance | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; police may issue fines on the spot | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations |
Common Fines: Speeding
costa rica:
Varies; can range from 22,000 CRC and above
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
costa rica:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
malaysia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
costa rica:
Fines applicable for use without hands-free
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
costa rica:
Fines applicable for non-compliance
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
costa rica:
Common; police may issue fines on the spot
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations