Driving in Malaysia vs. Sweden: Key Differences Explained
When venturing abroad, understanding the driving regulations in Malaysia and Sweden is crucial for ensuring a smooth journey. Key distinctions include driving on the left in Malaysia versus the right in Sweden, and differing speed limits and overtaking rules. Familiarizing yourself with these vital variations can enhance your road safety and confidence while navigating foreign landscapes.
Lanes
| Malaysia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left. |
| 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, often accessible to taxis and bicycles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
malaysia:
Left
sweden:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
sweden:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads. No crossing.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
malaysia:
No crossing in either direction.
sweden:
Not commonly used; usually dashed if there are restrictions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
malaysia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
sweden:
Passing permitted when safe; common as centerline on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Left
malaysia:
No
sweden:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malaysia:
Yes
sweden:
Only allowed in slow-moving traffic lanes or when other vehicles turn left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
malaysia:
List length: 4
sweden:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
sweden:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
sweden:
Reserved for buses, often accessible to taxis and bicycles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
sweden:
Labeled with 'BUS'; often indicated by road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malaysia:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Malaysia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 70-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 90-100 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 | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
sweden:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
sweden:
70-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
sweden:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
sweden:
90-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malaysia:
No
sweden:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
sweden:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malaysia:
Yes
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Malaysia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Malaysia | Not common in Sweden. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Use is generally discouraged. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay and English; symbols are standard | Swedish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger. |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
malaysia:
Amber
sweden:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
malaysia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
sweden:
Proceed with caution, give way to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
sweden:
Not common in Sweden.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
malaysia:
Signal when exiting
sweden:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
malaysia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
sweden:
Use is generally discouraged.
Horn Usage: Penalties
malaysia:
Fines may apply for misuse
sweden:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
malaysia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
sweden:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
malaysia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
sweden:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
malaysia:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
sweden:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
malaysia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sweden:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
sweden:
Swedish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
malaysia:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
sweden:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
sweden:
Orange diamond-shaped signs warn of danger.
Turns
| Malaysia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not generally allowed. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
malaysia:
Not allowed
sweden:
Not generally allowed.
Left Turn: General
malaysia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
malaysia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
sweden:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
sweden:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
malaysia:
Yes, marked with arrows
sweden:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
malaysia:
Prohibited
sweden:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Malaysia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required yearly for roadworthiness | Annual inspection required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Proof may be required to be shown. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Driver's License: Requirement
malaysia:
Valid driver's license required
sweden:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted; International Driving Permit is not necessary.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
sweden:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended.
Insurance
malaysia:
Liability insurance mandatory
sweden:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
sweden:
Annual inspection required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
sweden:
Proof may be required to be shown.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Road Etiquette
| Malaysia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Rarely used except for emergencies. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
malaysia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
sweden:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
malaysia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
sweden:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
malaysia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
sweden:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
malaysia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
sweden:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
malaysia:
Only in emergency situations
sweden:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sweden:
Rarely used except for emergencies.
Pedestrians Priority
malaysia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
sweden:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
sweden:
Move to the side of the road and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
malaysia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
sweden:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Malaysia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | Zero tolerance; 0.00%. |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used nationwide | Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high levels or repeat offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
malaysia:
0.08%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malaysia:
0.04%
sweden:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
sweden:
Zero tolerance; 0.00%.
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
malaysia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
sweden:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
malaysia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
sweden:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
sweden:
Common; police conduct alcohol and drug checks.
Enforcement: Fines
malaysia:
Substantial fines
sweden:
Substantial; vary depending on blood alcohol level.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
malaysia:
Possible for severe offenses
sweden:
Possible for high levels or repeat offenses.
Test Refusal
malaysia:
Can result in license suspension
sweden:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Malaysia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if you plan to take the first exit. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
malaysia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
sweden:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
malaysia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
sweden:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
malaysia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
sweden:
Signal left if you plan to take the first exit.
Signaling: Exiting
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
sweden:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
malaysia:
Use for first exit or straight
sweden:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
malaysia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
sweden:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Malaysia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers. |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services | Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren). |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory but recommended. |
Contact: General Emergency
malaysia:
999
sweden:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
malaysia:
999
sweden:
112 for emergencies, otherwise local non-emergency numbers.
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
sweden:
Check with your insurance provider or local service (e.g., Falck, Assistancekåren).
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
sweden:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
sweden:
Not mandatory but recommended.
Penalties And Fines
| Malaysia | Sweden | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; RM150 and above | Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | RM300, points on license | SEK 1500, points on license. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | RM300, points on license | SEK 1500, fines for illegal use. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and points on license | Varies; fines and possible points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations | Common; fines can be issued directly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Typically within 30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
sweden:
Varies; SEK 1500 and upwards, depending on excess speed.
Common Fines: Alcohol
malaysia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
sweden:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
sweden:
SEK 1500, points on license.
Common Fines: Phone Use
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
sweden:
SEK 1500, fines for illegal use.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
sweden:
Varies; fines and possible points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
sweden:
Common; fines can be issued directly.
Payment: Deadline
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
sweden:
Typically within 30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
malaysia:
Same as residents; must be paid
sweden:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
malaysia:
Possible if fines are not paid
sweden:
Possible if fines are not paid.