Driving in Malaysia vs Thailand: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the roads of Malaysia and Thailand reveals fascinating contrasts in driving customs and regulations. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol tolerance and emergency protocols, each nation presents unique challenges for travelers. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Malaysia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
thailand:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
malaysia:
No
thailand:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malaysia:
Yes
thailand:
Prohibited
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
malaysia:
List length: 4
thailand:
List length: 5
Bus Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
thailand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malaysia:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Malaysia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 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 | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
malaysia:
30 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
thailand:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
thailand:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Signals
| Malaysia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Malaysia | Not used in Thailand |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay and English; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Traffic Signs: Language
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Malaysia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Malaysia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required yearly for roadworthiness | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
thailand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malaysia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malaysia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used nationwide | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
malaysia:
0.08%
thailand:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malaysia:
0.04%
thailand:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
malaysia:
Substantial fines
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
malaysia:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Malaysia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Lane Usage: Left
malaysia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
thailand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Malaysia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
malaysia:
999
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
malaysia:
999
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Malaysia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; RM150 and above | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | RM300, points on license | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | RM300, points on license | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and points on license | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
malaysia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days