Driving in India vs. Malaysia: Key Safety Differences
Discover the unique road rules and regulations that shape the driving experience in India and Malaysia. From speed limits and lane markings to penalties for violations, this comparison highlights essential distinctions that influence safety on the roads. Understanding these variations is crucial for any traveler aiming for a secure journey in unfamiliar territories.
Lanes
| India | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, but only when safe. | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Yes |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
malaysia:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
india:
List length: 5
malaysia:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
malaysia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
malaysia:
Yes
Speeds Limits
| India | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities and highways | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
india:
40-50 km/h
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
malaysia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
malaysia:
Yes
Signals
| India | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | Not used in Malaysia |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common due to varied vehicle conditions | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and local languages; 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
india:
Not used in India
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
malaysia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
malaysia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
india:
Triangular with red border
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| India | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Not allowed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
malaysia:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
malaysia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| India | 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 required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | Required yearly for roadworthiness |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
india:
Not mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| India | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to other countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
malaysia:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
malaysia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Common; checkpoints used nationwide |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Substantial fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
malaysia:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
india:
0.00%
malaysia:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
india:
0.00%
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
malaysia:
Substantial fines
Test Refusal
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
malaysia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| India | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
malaysia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| India | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
india:
112
malaysia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
malaysia:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malaysia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| India | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license | Varies; RM150 and above |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay