Driving in Finland vs. Malaysia: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the driving landscapes of Finland and Malaysia, distinct contrasts emerge that significantly impact road safety. From lane usage to speed limits, Finland favors a right-hand drive with strict overtaking regulations, while Malaysia adopts a left-hand system with more flexible rules. Understanding these nuances is essential for a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Finland | 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
finland:
Right
malaysia:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
finland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Left
finland:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
finland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
malaysia:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
finland:
List length: 5
malaysia:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
finland:
Use rightmost lane.
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
finland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
malaysia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Finland | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 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 | 100-120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
finland:
50 km/h
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
finland:
30-40 km/h
malaysia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
finland:
80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
finland:
100-120 km/h
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
finland:
100 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
finland:
80-100 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
finland:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
finland:
Electronic signs display current limits
malaysia:
N/A
Signals
| Finland | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Malaysia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard | Malay and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with a yellow background | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
finland:
Not commonly used
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
Traffic Signs: Language
finland:
Finnish and Swedish; symbols are standard
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
finland:
Triangular-shaped with a yellow background
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Finland | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed |
Right Turn On Red
finland:
Not generally allowed
malaysia:
Not allowed
Documentation
| Finland | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker | Required yearly for roadworthiness |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory for certain situations | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
finland:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
finland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit, or official translation
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
finland:
Mandatory; must display valid inspection sticker
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
finland:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory for certain situations
malaysia:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Finland | 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
finland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Finland | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used nationwide |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial fines |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
finland:
0.05%
malaysia:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
finland:
0.02%
malaysia:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
finland:
Common; checkpoints used
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
Enforcement: Fines
finland:
Can be substantial
malaysia:
Substantial fines
Test Refusal
finland:
Results in license suspension
malaysia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Finland | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
finland:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Finland | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact through 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory, recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory, recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
finland:
112
malaysia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
finland:
Contact through 112
malaysia:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
finland:
Check with your insurance provider or Autoliitto
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
finland:
Mandatory, recommended
malaysia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Finland | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines based on income | Varies; RM150 and above |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, typically €85 | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, typically €100 | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; usually drive must pay later | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations |
Common Fines: Speeding
finland:
Varies; fines based on income
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
Common Fines: Seat Belts
finland:
Fines apply, typically €85
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
finland:
Fines apply, typically €100
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
finland:
Fines apply
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
finland:
Possible; usually drive must pay later
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations