Driving in Guatemala vs. Malaysia: Key Safety Differences
The driving landscape in Guatemala and Malaysia presents intriguing contrasts that every traveler should consider for enhanced road safety. From the contrasting sides of the road they drive on to their distinct speed limits and lane regulations, this comparison offers essential insights to ensure a secure and smooth journey in either country.
Lanes
| Guatemala | 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 | N/A | 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 with vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
guatemala:
Right
malaysia:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
guatemala:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Left
guatemala:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
malaysia:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
guatemala:
List length: 5
malaysia:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
guatemala:
Use rightmost lane.
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
malaysia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
malaysia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-60 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 | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
malaysia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
malaysia:
Yes
Signals
| Guatemala | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in Malaysia |
| 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
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
Traffic Signs: Language
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Guatemala | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
malaysia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Guatemala | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | 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; proof may be required | Required yearly for roadworthiness |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | 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
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
guatemala:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Guatemala | 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, especially at night | Common; checkpoints used nationwide |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; can be substantial | Substantial fines |
Limits: General Drivers
guatemala:
0.05%
malaysia:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
malaysia:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
malaysia:
Substantial fines
Roundabouts
| Guatemala | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
guatemala:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
malaysia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
malaysia:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | Varies; RM150 and above |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay