Driving Differences: Lebanon vs. Malaysia Explained
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of vehicle operation is crucial for safety. This comparison between Lebanon and Malaysia reveals notable contrasts, such as driving on the right versus the left, diverse speed limits, and distinct lane usage regulations. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can enhance your driving experience and ensure a secure journey.
Lanes
| Lebanon | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| 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 | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
lebanon:
Right
malaysia:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
malaysia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
lebanon:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
malaysia:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
lebanon:
List length: 5
malaysia:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
lebanon:
Use rightmost lane.
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
malaysia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
malaysia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lebanon:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
malaysia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
80 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
malaysia:
N/A
Signals
| Lebanon | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Not used in Malaysia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; symbols are standard | Malay and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
malaysia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
malaysia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Lebanon | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
malaysia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Lebanon | 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, annual inspection required | Required yearly for roadworthiness |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used nationwide |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Substantial fines |
Limits: General Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
malaysia:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
malaysia:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
malaysia:
Substantial fines
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
malaysia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
lebanon:
Signal right when preparing to exit
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
lebanon:
112
malaysia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
malaysia:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; RM150 and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
malaysia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay