Driving in Indonesia vs. Myanmar: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the road regulations in Indonesia and Myanmar reveals significant contrasts that impact traveler safety. While Indonesia drives on the left, Myanmar adheres to right-side navigation. Speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol restrictions further diverge, underscoring the need for awareness and preparation to ensure a secure experience on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Indonesia | 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 | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles. | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with specific signage. | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles. | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
indonesia:
Left
myanmar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
indonesia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
indonesia:
No
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
indonesia:
Yes
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
Bus Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes specific vehicles.
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Labeled with specific signage.
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
indonesia:
Limited
myanmar:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
indonesia:
Primarily in major cities, exclusive for bicycles.
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
indonesia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
myanmar:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
indonesia:
N/A
myanmar:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
myanmar:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Indonesia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 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
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
indonesia:
50-80 km/h
myanmar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
60-80 km/h
myanmar:
50 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
indonesia:
80 km/h
myanmar:
70 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
indonesia:
N/A
myanmar:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
indonesia:
Common
myanmar:
Yes
Signals
| Indonesia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Indonesia | Not used in Myanmar |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Indonesian; 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
indonesia:
Not used in Indonesia
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
Traffic Signs: Language
indonesia:
Indonesian; symbols are standard
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
indonesia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
Turns
| Indonesia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Forbidden unless a sign permits it | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs | Prohibited unless permitted by signs |
Right Turn On Red
indonesia:
Forbidden unless a sign permits it
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
indonesia:
Normally permitted unless prohibited by signs
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
Documentation
| Indonesia | 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 required | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic checks required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Evidence of inspection may be displayed | Displayed on the 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
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
indonesia:
International Driving Permit required
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
indonesia:
Yes, periodic checks required
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
indonesia:
Evidence of inspection may be displayed
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Not mandatory but recommended
myanmar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Indonesia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in traffic | Moderate use, more common in cities |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Give way and make room | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
indonesia:
Frequent use in traffic
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
indonesia:
Give way and make room
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Indonesia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.07% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Less common; often during festivals |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to arrest and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
myanmar:
0.07%
Limits: Professional Drivers
indonesia:
0.05%
myanmar:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
indonesia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
myanmar:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
indonesia:
Common
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
Enforcement: Fines
indonesia:
Varies by region; can be substantial
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
indonesia:
Can result in license suspension
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
Emergency Services
| Indonesia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 110 | 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local emergency numbers | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Available through some insurance providers |
| 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
myanmar:
199
Contact: Traffic Police
indonesia:
Check local emergency numbers
myanmar:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
indonesia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
indonesia:
Mandatory in case of breakdown
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
indonesia:
Recommended for safety
myanmar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Indonesia | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; subject to local laws | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Subject to local laws, fines apply | Fine enforced; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving | Fines for usage while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, enforced rigorously | Fines applied for violations |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks | Possible; else must be paid at office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
indonesia:
Varies; subject to local laws
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
Common Fines: Seat Belts
indonesia:
Subject to local laws, fines apply
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
indonesia:
Fines apply for using a handheld phone while driving
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
indonesia:
Fines apply, enforced rigorously
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
Payment: On The Spot
indonesia:
Common; fines can often be paid directly or through banks
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office
Payment: Deadline
indonesia:
Varies; typically within 14 to 30 days
myanmar:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay