Driving in Indonesia vs. Malaysia: Key Safety Tips
When navigating the roads of Indonesia and Malaysia, understanding the nuances of their driving regulations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Key distinctions include lane markings, speed limits, and the protocols for emergencies. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will enhance your travel experience and help you drive with confidence in these vibrant Southeast Asian countries.
Lanes
| Indonesia | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signage. | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
indonesia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
indonesia:
List length: 5
malaysia:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Limited
malaysia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
indonesia:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Indonesia | 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 | 50-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 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: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
indonesia:
40-60 km/h
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
indonesia:
100 km/h
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
80 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
80 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
indonesia:
Common
malaysia:
Yes
Signals
| Indonesia | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Indonesia | Not used in Malaysia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Indonesian; 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
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
Traffic Signs: Language
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Indonesia | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Forbidden unless a sign permits it | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
malaysia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Indonesia | 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 required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic checks required | Required yearly for roadworthiness |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Evidence of inspection may be displayed | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory but recommended | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
indonesia:
International Driving Permit recommended
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
malaysia:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Indonesia | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and make room | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
indonesia:
Give way and make room
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Indonesia | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used nationwide |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Substantial fines |
Limits: General Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
malaysia:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
malaysia:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
indonesia:
Common
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
Enforcement: Fines
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
malaysia:
Substantial fines
Roundabouts
| Indonesia | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
indonesia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Indonesia | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 110 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local emergency numbers | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in case of breakdown | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended for safety | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
indonesia:
112 or 110
malaysia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
malaysia:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
malaysia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Indonesia | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; subject to local laws | Varies; RM150 and above |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Subject to local laws, fines apply | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, enforced rigorously | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
Common Fines: Seat Belts
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
Payment: Deadline
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay