Driving in Denmark vs Malaysia: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Denmark and Malaysia, drivers encounter distinct regulations that influence their travel experiences. Key differences include the side of the road on which vehicles operate and varying speed limits. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in each unique driving environment.
Lanes
| Denmark | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
denmark:
Right
malaysia:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
malaysia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
denmark:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
malaysia:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
denmark:
List length: 5
malaysia:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
denmark:
Use rightmost lane.
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
denmark:
Not applicable
malaysia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits.
malaysia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Denmark | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 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, for minor offenses. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
denmark:
50 km/h
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
denmark:
80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
denmark:
90-100 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
denmark:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits
malaysia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
malaysia:
Yes
Signals
| Denmark | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green. | Not used in Malaysia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Danish; symbols are standard | Malay and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
denmark:
Used before green.
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
malaysia:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Denmark | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
malaysia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Denmark | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | Required yearly for roadworthiness |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
denmark:
Displayed on the windshield
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Denmark | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
denmark:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Denmark | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; carried out by the police | Common; checkpoints used nationwide |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial fines |
Limits: General Drivers
denmark:
0.05%
malaysia:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
denmark:
0.02%
malaysia:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
Enforcement: Fines
denmark:
Can be substantial
malaysia:
Substantial fines
Roundabouts
| Denmark | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking any exit other than first | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
malaysia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
denmark:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Denmark | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
denmark:
112
malaysia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
malaysia:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Denmark | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; RM150 and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
malaysia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay