Driving Differences: Malaysia vs South Africa Explained
Embarking on a journey through Malaysia or South Africa? It's vital to understand the nuances of their road regulations. Key distinctions emerge in lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol tolerance, shaping unique driving experiences in each nation. Stay informed for a safer and more enjoyable adventure on the roads ahead!
Lanes
| Malaysia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malaysia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
malaysia:
No
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
malaysia:
Yes
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
malaysia:
List length: 4
south africa:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Speeds Limits
| Malaysia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malaysia:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malaysia:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Malaysia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Malaysia | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay and English; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Malaysia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
U- Turns Allowed
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Malaysia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required yearly for roadworthiness | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | 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
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Malaysia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
malaysia:
0.08%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malaysia:
0.04%
south africa:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
south africa:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
malaysia:
Substantial fines
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
malaysia:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Emergency Services
| Malaysia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
malaysia:
999
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
malaysia:
999
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Malaysia | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; RM150 and above | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | RM300, points on license | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | RM300, points on license | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay