Driving in Malaysia vs. Monaco: Key Safety Differences
When venturing into the vibrant roads of Malaysia or the elegant streets of Monaco, it's crucial to understand the distinct variations in traffic regulations and driving norms. Key differences include driving sides, speed limits, and overtaking protocols, all of which impact road safety and your overall experience. Prepare for a journey that respects local rules and ensures secure travels!
Lanes
| Malaysia | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed if traffic conditions permit. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mostly on main roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Predominantly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled ‘BUS’. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with small vehicles or buses. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Standard speed limits apply |
Driving Side
malaysia:
Left
monaco:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malaysia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Overtaking: On Left
malaysia:
No
monaco:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malaysia:
Yes
monaco:
Allowed if traffic conditions permit.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
malaysia:
List length: 4
monaco:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
monaco:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
malaysia:
Yes
monaco:
Limited, mostly on main roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
monaco:
Predominantly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
monaco:
Labeled ‘BUS’.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
malaysia:
Yes
monaco:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
monaco:
Shared with small vehicles or buses.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
monaco:
Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malaysia:
N/A
monaco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Speeds Limits
| Malaysia | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Standard speed limits apply |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common for traffic violations |
Urban Areas: Standard
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
monaco:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malaysia:
Yes
monaco:
Common for traffic violations
Signals
| Malaysia | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Malaysia | Rare in Monaco, usually not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay and English; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
malaysia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
monaco:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
monaco:
Rare in Monaco, usually not used
Traffic Signs: Language
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
monaco:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
monaco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Malaysia | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Permitted where indicated; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
malaysia:
Not allowed
monaco:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
monaco:
Permitted where indicated; check for signs
Documentation
| Malaysia | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required yearly for roadworthiness | Required annually; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
monaco:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
monaco:
Required annually; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
monaco:
Displayed on the vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
monaco:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malaysia | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
monaco:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malaysia | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used nationwide | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Can be substantial; varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
malaysia:
0.08%
monaco:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malaysia:
0.04%
monaco:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
monaco:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
monaco:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
malaysia:
Substantial fines
monaco:
Can be substantial; varies by severity
Roundabouts
| Malaysia | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
monaco:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Malaysia | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 or 18 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Local police also available on 911 using GSM |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services | Available through service providers or insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
malaysia:
999
monaco:
112 or 18
Contact: Traffic Police
malaysia:
999
monaco:
Local police also available on 911 using GSM
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
monaco:
Available through service providers or insurance
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
monaco:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Malaysia | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; RM150 and above | Varies; fines are substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | RM300, points on license | Fine applies if not used |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | RM300, points on license | Substantial fines issued |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and points on license | High fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations | Possible; varies |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically must be settled soon |
Common Fines: Speeding
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
monaco:
Varies; fines are substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
monaco:
Fine applies if not used
Common Fines: Phone Use
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
monaco:
Substantial fines issued
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
monaco:
High fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
monaco:
Possible; varies
Payment: Deadline
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
monaco:
Varies; typically must be settled soon