Driving in Myanmar vs. Poland: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the road regulations of Myanmar and Poland reveals significant contrasts that impact traveler safety. From lane marking practices to speed limits and signaling rules, drivers must adapt to distinct protocols. This comparison highlights the importance of understanding local traffic customs to ensure a secure and enjoyable journey in both countries.
Lanes
Myanmar | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary markings, such as during road works. |
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe. |
Overtaking: On Left | No, overtaking is on the right. | Yes |
Overtaking: On Right | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. | Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads. |
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
Bus Lanes: Usage | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified. |
Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. | Labeled 'BUS' on the road. |
Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
Cycle Lanes: Usage | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
poland:
Used for temporary markings, such as during road works.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
myanmar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
poland:
Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
poland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
poland:
Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
myanmar:
Use leftmost lane.
poland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
poland:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified.
Bus Lanes: Markings
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
poland:
Labeled 'BUS' on the road.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
myanmar:
No
poland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
poland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
myanmar:
N/A
poland:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
myanmar:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
myanmar:
N/A
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
Myanmar | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Urban Areas: Standard | 30-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50 km/h | 70 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 140 km/h |
Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation. |
Urban Areas: Standard
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
poland:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
myanmar:
30 km/h
poland:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
myanmar:
80 km/h
poland:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
myanmar:
60 km/h
poland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
myanmar:
50 km/h
poland:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
myanmar:
100 km/h
poland:
140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
myanmar:
80 km/h
poland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
myanmar:
70 km/h
poland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
myanmar:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
myanmar:
N/A
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
myanmar:
Yes
poland:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation.
Signals
Myanmar | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Myanmar | Signals a change to green is imminent. |
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory | Yes, for all turns and lane changes | Yes, for all turns and lane changes. |
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. |
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 | Burmese; symbols are standard | Polish; symbols are standard. |
Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds | Triangular with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
myanmar:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
poland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
poland:
Signals a change to green is imminent.
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory
myanmar:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes
poland:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
myanmar:
Signal when exiting
poland:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Allowed
myanmar:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
poland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
myanmar:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
poland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
myanmar:
Fines may apply for misuse
poland:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
myanmar:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
poland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
myanmar:
Not to be used to signal other messages
poland:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
myanmar:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
poland:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
myanmar:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
poland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
poland:
Polish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
myanmar:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
poland:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
poland:
Triangular with red border.
Turns
Myanmar | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign | Allowed only if a green arrow is present. |
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 | Prohibited unless permitted by signs | Varies by location; check for signs. |
Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
poland:
Allowed only if a green arrow is present.
Left Turn: General
myanmar:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
poland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
myanmar:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
poland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
poland:
Varies by location; check for signs.
Special Turn Lanes
myanmar:
Yes, marked with arrows
poland:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
myanmar:
Prohibited
poland:
Prohibited.
Documentation
Myanmar | Poland | |
---|---|---|
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 recommended. |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit. |
Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Mandatory every year. |
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield. |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory. |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
myanmar:
Valid driver's license required
poland:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
poland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
poland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit.
Insurance
myanmar:
Liability insurance mandatory
poland:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
poland:
Mandatory every year.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
poland:
Displayed on windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
myanmar:
Recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
myanmar:
Recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
Myanmar | Poland | |
---|---|---|
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 | Moderate use, more common in cities | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right 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
myanmar:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
poland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
myanmar:
Discouraged, fines may apply
poland:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
myanmar:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
poland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
myanmar:
Discouraged and may be penalized
poland:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
myanmar:
Only in emergency situations
poland:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
poland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
myanmar:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
poland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
poland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
myanmar:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
poland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
Myanmar | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Limits: General Drivers | 0.07% | 0.02% |
Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 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 | Less common; often during festivals | Common; checkpoints used frequently. |
Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity; can be substantial | Varies; can be substantial. |
Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
Test Refusal | Can lead to arrest and fines | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
myanmar:
0.07%
poland:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
myanmar:
0.03%
poland:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
myanmar:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
poland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
myanmar:
Check if medication affects driving ability
poland:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
poland:
Common; checkpoints used frequently.
Enforcement: Fines
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
poland:
Varies; can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
myanmar:
Possible for severe offenses
poland:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
poland:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
Myanmar | Poland | |
---|---|---|
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 if turning immediately upon entry. |
Signaling: Exiting | Signal right 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
myanmar:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
poland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
myanmar:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
poland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
myanmar:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
poland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
myanmar:
Signal right when preparing to exit
poland:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
myanmar:
Use for first exit or straight
poland:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
myanmar:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
poland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
Myanmar | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Contact: General Emergency | 199 | 112 |
Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 997 |
Contact: Roadside Assistance | Available through some insurance providers | 981 or through your insurance provider. |
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended | Mandatory. |
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory. |
Contact: General Emergency
myanmar:
199
poland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
myanmar:
Contact local police
poland:
997
Contact: Roadside Assistance
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
poland:
981 or through your insurance provider.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
myanmar:
Recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
myanmar:
Recommended
poland:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
Myanmar | Poland | |
---|---|---|
Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots | Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles. |
Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine enforced; mandatory use | Mandatory, fines apply. |
Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for usage while driving | Fines apply for use without hands-free device. |
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applied for violations | Fines and license points apply. |
Payment: On The Spot | Possible; else must be paid at office | Rare; usually paid online or by mail. |
Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 7-14 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
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
poland:
Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles.
Common Fines: Alcohol
myanmar:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
poland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
poland:
Mandatory, fines apply.
Common Fines: Phone Use
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
poland:
Fines apply for use without hands-free device.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
poland:
Fines and license points apply.
Payment: On The Spot
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office
poland:
Rare; usually paid online or by mail.
Payment: Deadline
myanmar:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
poland:
Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
myanmar:
Same as residents; must be paid
poland:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
myanmar:
Possible if fines are not paid
poland:
Possible if fines are not paid.