Driving in Malaysia vs. Turkey: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Malaysia and Turkey, it's essential to understand the distinct regulations and practices that govern vehicle operation. Key differences include driving on the left in Malaysia versus the right in Turkey, as well as varying speed limits and overtaking rules. Stay informed to ensure a safer journey in either country.
Lanes
| Malaysia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 4 | List length: 5 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| 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
turkey:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
turkey:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
malaysia:
No
turkey:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malaysia:
Yes
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
malaysia:
List length: 4
turkey:
List length: 5
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
turkey:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malaysia:
N/A
turkey:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malaysia:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Malaysia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
malaysia:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malaysia:
Yes
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Malaysia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Malaysia | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay and English; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
malaysia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Malaysia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
malaysia:
Not allowed
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Malaysia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required yearly for roadworthiness | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| 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
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Malaysia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malaysia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used nationwide | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
malaysia:
0.08%
turkey:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malaysia:
0.04%
turkey:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
malaysia:
Substantial fines
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
malaysia:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Malaysia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
turkey:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Malaysia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
malaysia:
999
turkey:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
malaysia:
999
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Malaysia | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; RM150 and above | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | RM300, points on license | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | RM300, points on license | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
malaysia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges