Driving Differences: India vs. Myanmar Explained
When exploring the diverse landscapes of India and Myanmar, understanding their distinct traffic norms is crucial for a safe journey. Key differences include driving on opposite sides of the road, varying speed limits, and unique road etiquette. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts will enhance your travel experience and ensure a smoother drive in both nations.
Lanes
| India | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | No, overtaking is on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, but only when safe. | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
Driving Side
india:
Left
myanmar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
india:
No
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
myanmar:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
myanmar:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
india:
Exclusive for bicycles.
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
india:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
myanmar:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| India | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-70 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 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
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
myanmar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
myanmar:
50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
myanmar:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
myanmar:
70 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
myanmar:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
myanmar:
Yes
Signals
| India | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | Not used in Myanmar |
| 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 | Burmese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
india:
Not used in India
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
myanmar:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
myanmar:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
india:
Triangular with red border
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
Turns
| India | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign |
| 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 | Prohibited unless permitted by signs |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
myanmar:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
Documentation
| India | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | Displayed on the 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
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
india:
Not mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| India | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Moderate use, more common in cities |
| 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 | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
myanmar:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
myanmar:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.07% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Less common; often during festivals |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can lead to arrest and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
myanmar:
0.07%
Limits: Professional Drivers
india:
0.00%
myanmar:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
Roundabouts
| India | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
myanmar:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
myanmar:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| India | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | Available through some insurance providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
india:
112
myanmar:
199
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
myanmar:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
myanmar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| India | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | Fine enforced; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | Fines for usage while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | Fines applied for violations |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | Possible; else must be paid at office |
| 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
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
myanmar:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay