Driving in Malaysia vs. Oman: Key Safety Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is vital for a safe journey. This comparison between Malaysia and Oman reveals significant contrasts, including driving sides, speed limits, and vehicle protocols. By familiarizing yourself with these essential distinctions, you can ensure a smoother and more secure driving experience in either country.
Lanes
| Malaysia | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
malaysia:
Left
oman:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
oman:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
malaysia:
No
oman:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malaysia:
Yes
oman:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
malaysia:
List length: 4
oman:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
oman:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
malaysia:
Yes
oman:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
oman:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
oman:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malaysia:
N/A
oman:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
oman:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Malaysia | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
oman:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malaysia:
30 km/h
oman:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
oman:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
oman:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
oman:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
oman:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
oman:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
oman:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
oman:
N/A
Signals
| Malaysia | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Malaysia | Not used in Oman |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay and English; symbols are standard | Arabic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
oman:
Not used in Oman
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
malaysia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
oman:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
oman:
Arabic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
oman:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Malaysia | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not typically allowed |
Right Turn On Red
malaysia:
Not allowed
oman:
Not typically allowed
Documentation
| Malaysia | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required yearly for roadworthiness | Regular inspection required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
oman:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
oman:
Regular inspection required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
oman:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malaysia | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Use more frequent 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
oman:
Use more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
oman:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malaysia | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used nationwide | Common |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
malaysia:
0.08%
oman:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malaysia:
0.04%
oman:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
oman:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
oman:
Common
Test Refusal
malaysia:
Can result in license suspension
oman:
Can result in license suspension and heavy penalties
Roundabouts
| Malaysia | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
oman:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Malaysia | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 9999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 9999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
malaysia:
999
oman:
9999
Contact: Traffic Police
malaysia:
999
oman:
9999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
oman:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
oman:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Malaysia | Oman | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; RM150 and above | Varies; fines can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | RM300, points on license | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | RM300, points on license | Fines may apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and points on license | Fines can be substantial |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; ensure timely payment |
Common Fines: Speeding
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
oman:
Varies; fines can be substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
malaysia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
oman:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
oman:
Fines may apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
oman:
Fines can be substantial
Payment: On The Spot
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
oman:
Common
Payment: Deadline
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
oman:
Varies; ensure timely payment