Driving Differences: Madagascar vs. Myanmar Uncovered
When exploring the unique road regulations of Madagascar and Myanmar, it's essential to understand their distinct traffic practices. Key contrasts include lane usage for overtaking and urban speed limits, highlighting diverse approaches to vehicle management and public safety. This comparison aims to equip travelers with the knowledge needed for secure navigation in these fascinating countries.
Lanes
| Madagascar | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically not used. | Marks the edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No, overtaking is on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. |
| 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. | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | May be marked clearly in major cities. | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Sparse | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles unless marked. | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes, when possible. | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Speed limits are fixed. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
madagascar:
Typically not used.
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
madagascar:
Yes
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
myanmar:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
myanmar:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
madagascar:
Sparse
myanmar:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
myanmar:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
myanmar:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Madagascar | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 30 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 | 60-80 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70 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
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
madagascar:
50 km/h
myanmar:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
myanmar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
myanmar:
50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
myanmar:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
myanmar:
70 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
madagascar:
Not applicable
myanmar:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
myanmar:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
madagascar:
Yes, common.
myanmar:
Yes
Signals
| Madagascar | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used | Not used in Myanmar |
| 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 | Burmese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular signs with red borders | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
madagascar:
Not commonly used
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
Horn Usage: Allowed
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
myanmar:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
myanmar:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
myanmar:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
myanmar:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
myanmar:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
Turns
| Madagascar | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited unless specified otherwise | Prohibited unless permitted by signs |
Right Turn On Red
madagascar:
Prohibited
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
Documentation
| Madagascar | 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 for all vehicles | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Indication may vary | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
madagascar:
Indication may vary
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Madagascar | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Moderate use, more common in cities |
| 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 | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
myanmar:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
myanmar:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
Pedestrians Priority
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
myanmar:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Madagascar | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.07% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in urban areas | Less common; often during festivals |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Results in penalties | Can lead to arrest and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
myanmar:
0.07%
Limits: Professional Drivers
madagascar:
0.08%
myanmar:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
madagascar:
0.02%
myanmar:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
Enforcement: Fines
madagascar:
Can be substantial
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
madagascar:
Results in penalties
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
Roundabouts
| Madagascar | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Not commonly practiced | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
myanmar:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
myanmar:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Madagascar | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 117 | 199 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Could vary; commonly police contact | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies by provider, public services might be limited | Available through some insurance providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
madagascar:
117
myanmar:
199
Contact: Traffic Police
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
myanmar:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
madagascar:
Mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Madagascar | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots |
| 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 | Fine enforced; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable for use while driving | Fines for usage while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Monetary fines applied | Fines applied for violations |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common for minor offenses | Possible; else must be paid at office |
| Payment: Deadline | Determined by issuing authority | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
Common Fines: Alcohol
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
myanmar:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
Payment: On The Spot
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office
Payment: Deadline
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority
myanmar:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay