Driving Differences: Malaysia vs. Portugal Explained
When venturing from Malaysia to Portugal, understanding the distinct road regulations and practices is crucial for a safe journey. Key differences include driving on opposite sides, speed limits, and unique signaling methods. Familiarize yourself with these driving variations to ensure a smooth and secure experience while navigating the roads of these two diverse nations.
Lanes
| Malaysia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Prohibited. |
| 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 and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
malaysia:
Left
portugal:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
portugal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
malaysia:
No
portugal:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malaysia:
Yes
portugal:
Prohibited.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
malaysia:
List length: 4
portugal:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
portugal:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malaysia:
N/A
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malaysia:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Malaysia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 70 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 | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Possible |
Urban Areas: Standard
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
portugal:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
portugal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malaysia:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malaysia:
Yes
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Malaysia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Malaysia | Not used in Portugal |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay and English; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Traffic Signs: Language
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Malaysia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
malaysia:
Not allowed
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Malaysia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required yearly for roadworthiness | Periodic inspections required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malaysia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
portugal:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malaysia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used nationwide | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
malaysia:
0.08%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malaysia:
0.04%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
malaysia:
Substantial fines
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Malaysia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
portugal:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Malaysia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
malaysia:
999
portugal:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
malaysia:
999
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Malaysia | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; RM150 and above | Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | RM300, points on license | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | RM300, points on license | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and points on license | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations | Possible |
Common Fines: Speeding
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
portugal:
Possible