Driving in Madagascar vs. Malaysia: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Madagascar and Malaysia, understanding the distinct traffic regulations is essential for a secure journey. Key variances include driving sides—right in Madagascar versus left in Malaysia—as well as speed limits and lane usage protocols. Explore these critical driving distinctions to enhance your safety while traveling in either country.
Lanes
| Madagascar | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Yes |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Stay to the right lane when possible. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Available mainly in urban areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved mostly for buses. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be marked clearly in major cities. | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | N/A |
Driving Side
madagascar:
Right
malaysia:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
Overtaking: On Left
madagascar:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
malaysia:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
madagascar:
List length: 5
malaysia:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
malaysia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
malaysia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
N/A
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
malaysia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
malaysia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 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 | 60-80 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 | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, particularly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
madagascar:
50 km/h
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
malaysia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
malaysia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
malaysia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
malaysia:
Yes
Signals
| Madagascar | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Malaysia |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Excessive use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | May apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French and Malagasy | Malay and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
malaysia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
malaysia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
malaysia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
malaysia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
malaysia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Madagascar | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
malaysia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Madagascar | 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 for all vehicles | Required yearly for roadworthiness |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Use is more frequent in urban areas | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Significantly used for communication with other drivers | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
malaysia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
malaysia:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
malaysia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Common; checkpoints used nationwide |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial fines |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
malaysia:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
malaysia:
Substantial fines
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
malaysia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Not commonly practiced | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
malaysia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
malaysia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
malaysia:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; RM150 and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable for non-use | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
malaysia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay