Driving in Germany vs. Myanmar: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Germany and Myanmar, drivers encounter significant variations in regulations and practices. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol consumption thresholds, understanding these contrasts is crucial for a safe journey. Explore the distinctive rules that shape the driving experience in these two nations for enhanced road safety abroad.
Lanes
| Germany | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. | Marks the edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No, overtaking is on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
myanmar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
germany:
Yes
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
germany:
Use rightmost lane.
myanmar:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
germany:
Yes
myanmar:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
germany:
Exclusive for bicycles.
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
myanmar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
germany:
N/A
myanmar:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
myanmar:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits.
myanmar:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Germany | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
germany:
50 km/h
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
germany:
80-100 km/h
myanmar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80 km/h
myanmar:
50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
myanmar:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
germany:
100 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80-100 km/h
myanmar:
70 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
germany:
Yes
myanmar:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits
myanmar:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
germany:
Common
myanmar:
Yes
Signals
| Germany | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to change to green | Not used in Myanmar |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Burmese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
Traffic Signs: Language
germany:
German; symbols are standard
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
Turns
| Germany | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs | Prohibited unless permitted by signs |
Right Turn On Red
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
Documentation
| Germany | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, every 2 years | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
germany:
Mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Germany | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, more common in cities |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
germany:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
Alcohol
| Germany | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.07% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Less common; often during festivals |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to arrest and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
germany:
0.05%
myanmar:
0.07%
Limits: Professional Drivers
germany:
0.00%
myanmar:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
germany:
Common
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
germany:
Can result in license suspension
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
Emergency Services
| Germany | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | Available through some insurance providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
germany:
112
myanmar:
199
Contact: Traffic Police
germany:
110
myanmar:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
germany:
Mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €30 to €60 | Fine enforced; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | Fines for usage while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | Fines applied for violations |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Possible; else must be paid at office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
germany:
€100, points on license
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
myanmar:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay