Driving in Malaysia vs. Spain: Key Differences Unveiled
When navigating the roads of Malaysia and Spain, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that influence their travel experience. Key differences include driving sides, speed limits, and road markings. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in these unique driving environments.
Lanes
| Malaysia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 unless on a one-way street. |
| 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' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
malaysia:
Left
spain:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
malaysia:
No
spain:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malaysia:
Yes
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
malaysia:
List length: 4
spain:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
malaysia:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malaysia:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malaysia:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Malaysia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 70-80 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 | 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 | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malaysia:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malaysia:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malaysia:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Malaysia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Malaysia | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay and English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Malaysia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
malaysia:
Not allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Malaysia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required yearly for roadworthiness | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| 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
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Malaysia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| 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
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malaysia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used nationwide | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
malaysia:
0.08%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malaysia:
0.04%
spain:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
malaysia:
Substantial fines
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
malaysia:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Malaysia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
spain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Malaysia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
malaysia:
999
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
malaysia:
999
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Malaysia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; RM150 and above | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | RM300, points on license | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | RM300, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
Common Fines: Speeding
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
malaysia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.