Driving Differences: Malaysia vs. Uzbekistan Explained
Driving in Malaysia and Uzbekistan presents unique contrasts that every traveler should be aware of. While Malaysia drives on the left side of the road, Uzbekistan adheres to right-side navigation. Speed limits, lane usage, and road etiquette also vary significantly, which can impact your overall experience and safety on the road. Understanding these distinctions is vital for a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Malaysia | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
malaysia:
Left
uzbekistan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
malaysia:
No
uzbekistan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
malaysia:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
malaysia:
Use leftmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
malaysia:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
malaysia:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
malaysia:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Malaysia | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
uzbekistan:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
malaysia:
N/A
uzbekistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
malaysia:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Malaysia | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Malaysia | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Malay and English; symbols are standard | Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
malaysia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
malaysia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
malaysia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Malaysia | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
malaysia:
Not allowed
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Malaysia | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required yearly for roadworthiness | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
malaysia:
Displayed on windshield
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Malaysia | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
malaysia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
uzbekistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Malaysia | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used nationwide | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
Limits: General Drivers
malaysia:
0.08%
uzbekistan:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
malaysia:
0.04%
uzbekistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
malaysia:
Substantial fines
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Roundabouts
| Malaysia | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
malaysia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
uzbekistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Malaysia | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 999 | 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
malaysia:
999
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
malaysia:
999
uzbekistan:
102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
uzbekistan:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
malaysia:
Recommended
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
malaysia:
Recommended
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Malaysia | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; RM150 and above | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | RM300, points on license | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | RM300, points on license | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; fines and points on license | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Seat Belts
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
malaysia:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines