Driving Differences: Dominican Republic vs. Malaysia
When venturing from the Dominican Republic to Malaysia, understanding the contrasting driving regulations and practices is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on the right in the Dominican Republic versus the left in Malaysia, differing speed limits, and unique traffic norms. This comparison sheds light on essential road etiquette and safety measures to ensure a smooth ride abroad.
Lanes
| Dominican republic | 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 | Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Often not marked. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
dominican republic:
Right
malaysia:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
dominican republic:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Left
dominican republic:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
dominican republic:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
malaysia:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
dominican republic:
List length: 5
malaysia:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
dominican republic:
Use rightmost lane.
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Yes, mostly in the capital Santo Domingo
malaysia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Reserved for buses; some taxis may also use them.
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
dominican republic:
Limited
malaysia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
dominican republic:
Shared with motorized two-wheelers in some areas.
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
dominican republic:
Often not marked.
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
dominican republic:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Dominican republic | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No; speed checks are done by police radar | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Possible for traffic infractions | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
dominican republic:
40 km/h
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
dominican republic:
25 km/h
malaysia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
70 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
70 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
dominican republic:
100 km/h
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
dominican republic:
90 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
dominican republic:
80 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
dominican republic:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
dominican republic:
No; speed checks are done by police radar
malaysia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
dominican republic:
Possible for traffic infractions
malaysia:
Yes
Signals
| Dominican republic | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Dominican Republic | Not used in Malaysia |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Commonly used in many situations | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Malay and English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
dominican republic:
Not used in Dominican Republic
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
Horn Usage: Allowed
dominican republic:
Commonly used in many situations
malaysia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Traffic Signs: Language
dominican republic:
Spanish; symbols are standard
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Dominican republic | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited on major roads; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
dominican republic:
Not generally allowed unless indicated by a sign
malaysia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
dominican republic:
Prohibited on major roads; check for signs
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Dominican republic | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual inspection required | Required yearly for roadworthiness |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
dominican republic:
Yes, annual inspection required
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
dominican republic:
Displayed on the windshield
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required
malaysia:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Dominican republic | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Commonly used more frequently than in some countries | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | 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: Limited
dominican republic:
Commonly used more frequently than in some countries
malaysia:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
dominican republic:
Frequent use in traffic
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
dominican republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Dominican republic | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas | Common; checkpoints used nationwide |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; can lead to license suspension | Substantial fines |
| Test Refusal | Results in arrest and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
dominican republic:
0.05%
malaysia:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
dominican republic:
0.00%
malaysia:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
dominican republic:
Less common; some checkpoints used in urban areas
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
Enforcement: Fines
dominican republic:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
malaysia:
Substantial fines
Test Refusal
dominican republic:
Results in arrest and license suspension
malaysia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Dominican republic | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
dominican republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Dominican republic | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 or designated local numbers | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required and recommended as a safety measure | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
dominican republic:
911
malaysia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
dominican republic:
911 or designated local numbers
malaysia:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
dominican republic:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
dominican republic:
Required and recommended as a safety measure
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
dominican republic:
Recommended for safety
malaysia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Dominican republic | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation | Varies; RM150 and above |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines for non-compliance with signals | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible for common violations | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; often within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
dominican republic:
Varies; fines can be steep depending on the violation
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
Common Fines: Seat Belts
dominican republic:
Mandatory use; fines for non-compliance
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
dominican republic:
Fines for using a phone while driving without hands-free devices
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
dominican republic:
Fines for non-compliance with signals
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
dominican republic:
Possible for common violations
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
Payment: Deadline
dominican republic:
Varies; often within 15-30 days
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay