Driving in Malaysia vs. Mexico: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Malaysia and Mexico, understanding the unique rules and regulations is essential for safe navigation. Key distinctions include driving on the left in Malaysia versus the right in Mexico, alongside varying speed limits and overtaking norms. By familiarizing yourself with these contrasts, you can ensure a smoother, safer journey in either country.
Lanes
| Malaysia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mainly in urban areas for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
malaysia:
Left
mexico:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
mexico:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
malaysia:
No
mexico:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malaysia:
Yes
mexico:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
malaysia:
List length: 4
mexico:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
mexico:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
mexico:
Reserved for buses; sometimes allows other forms of public transportation.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
mexico:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific to the city regulations.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
mexico:
Mainly in urban areas for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
mexico:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malaysia:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Malaysia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, particularly in high traffic areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
mexico:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
mexico:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
mexico:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
mexico:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
mexico:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
mexico:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malaysia:
Yes
mexico:
Yes, particularly in high traffic areas
Signals
| Malaysia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Malaysia | Not used in Mexico |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay and English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular signs with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
mexico:
Not used in Mexico
Traffic Signs: Language
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
mexico:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
mexico:
Triangular signs with red border
Turns
| Malaysia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited |
Right Turn On Red
malaysia:
Not allowed
mexico:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
mexico:
Generally permitted unless prohibited by signs, or where visibility is limited
Documentation
| Malaysia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required yearly for roadworthiness | Varies by state; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
mexico:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
mexico:
Varies by state; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
mexico:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
mexico:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
mexico:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malaysia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
mexico:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
mexico:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malaysia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used nationwide | Common in urban areas, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Can be substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
mexico:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
mexico:
Common in urban areas, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
malaysia:
Substantial fines
mexico:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Malaysia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
mexico:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Malaysia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 066 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services | Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes' |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
malaysia:
999
mexico:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
malaysia:
999
mexico:
066 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
mexico:
Check with your insurance provider or 'Angeles Verdes'
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
mexico:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Malaysia | Mexico | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; RM150 and above | Varies; $40 to $200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | RM300, points on license | Varies, up to $50, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | RM300, points on license | Varies; can lead to significant fines |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and points on license | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations | Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; system improvements for online payments |
Common Fines: Speeding
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
mexico:
Varies; $40 to $200, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
mexico:
Varies, up to $50, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
mexico:
Varies; can lead to significant fines
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
mexico:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
mexico:
Common; may be paid to officers directly, although formal procedure is preferred
Payment: Deadline
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
mexico:
Varies; system improvements for online payments