Our car survey show that over 90% of foreigners that own transports in Malaysia, so most people have to adjust to driving here which is often a rather different experience than driving in their home countries. As in nearly all countries there is no requirement to take a local test to drive on the roads but it is always a good idea to try and understand some of the road rules and the meaning of more common road signs. The guide below is intended to provide some useful advice to people unfamiliar with Malaysian driving. There is so much to see in Malaysia/Borneo and we wish you happy sightseeing and safe driving!
You are allowed to drive on Malaysian roads if you have a valid driver's license from most other countries. It is best to check with your own embassy about the regulations regarding your country if you are not sure. International driver's license are recognized as long as they are still valid and having one will ensure you do not get into difficulties.
STREET SIGNS
I'm in a Motorbike Accident! What Should I Do Now?
Everyone can do all the right things and be the safest drive on the planet. But let's face it, accidents do happen when you least expect it, be it in the bustling melting pot of Kota Kinabalu or the rural solitude of the outskirt areas. The following tips can help you reduce the inevitable tension ;
If You Are Injured
- Stay calm and don't panic. Check how serious the injuries are as your life is more important. If you need medical assistance, call the 991 for the ambulance. Do call GG Rent A Motorbike (while you can) with the phone numbers that were provided to you during pre-rental period.
If You Are NOT Injured
- Immediately call GG Rent A Motorbike to inform the incident.
- If the accident is in a dangerous spot, go to a safe place nearby with or without the motorbike (depending on your current situation). Maintain your composure and avoid any arguments.
- Note down the names, address telephone numbers and insurers of the other parties involved in the accident and offer yours as well.
- Note down the car registration numbers, make, model and color of the other vehicle/vehicles involved. Even better would be to use your mobile phone camera/digital camera to do so (for hard proof). Remember the time of the accident.
- Do not negotiate to offer compensation to third party and do not admit liability (verbal or written) as it would jeopardize your rights to claim if the other party is at fault.
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Newer road signs use different colors to help you understand the directions they are giving. Yellow lettering indicates the road name.White lettering is the name of the town or area. Green lettering on white background indicates a building or specific attraction. The white lettering on a green background with the symbol for a road indicates a you can take a highway or expressway to the places shown. |
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This sign on the road means PLEASE GIVE WAY. |
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Not Allowed To Do a U-Turn. |
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Follow the Speed Limit on the sign. Road Sign Meanings |
ARAH = Bound
Example: ARAH UTARA = North Bound
UTARA = North
SELATAN = South
BARAT = West
TIMUR = East
AWAS = Caution
KAWASAN KEMALANGAN = Accident Area
SELEKOH BAHAYA DI HADAPAN = Sharp corner ahead
KURANGKAN LAJU = Reduce Speed
SIMPANG KE = Junction to
SUSUR KELUAR KE = Exit to
SUSUR MASUK KE = Enter to (usually at weighing bridge)
PEMBINAAN DI HADAPAN = Construction ahead
BERHENTI = Stop
JALAN SEHALA = One Way
BERI LALUAN = Give Away
ZON HAD LAJU DIHADAPAN = Speed Limit Zone ahead
HAD LAJU KEBANGSAAN = National Speed Limits
JALAN = Road
LEBUH = Street
PERSIARAN = Drive Path
LORONG MEMOTONG DI HADAPAN = Overtaking lane ahead
IKUT KIRI KECUALI MEMOTONG = Keep Left Unless Overtaking
KENDERAAN BERAT SILA IKUT KIRI = Heavy vehicles, please keep left
KECUALI KECEMASAN = Except Emergency
PERLAHAN = Slow Down
LAMPU ISYARAT DI HADAPAN = Traffic lights ahead
HENTIAN SEBELAH = Lay by
KAWASAN REHAT DAN RAWAT (R&R) = Rest and Service areas
STESEN MINYAK = Petrol Station
KECEMASAN = Emergency
TEROWONG = Tunnel
PERSIMPANGAN BERTINGKAT = Interchange
NYALAKAN LAMPU HADAPAN = Turn on headlamps
ANGIN LINTANG = Crosswind
GUNAKAN GEAR RENDAH = Shift to lower gears
LALUAN MOTOSIKAL = Motorcycle lane
GUNAKAN LORONG MOTOSIKAL = Use motorcycle lane
KAWASAN SEKOLAH = School area
AIR TERJUN = Waterfall
PANTAI = Beach
KOMPLEKS SEJARAH = Historical Complex
MASJID = Mosque
WISMA/BANGUNAN = Building
LAPANGAN TERBANG = Airport
LAPANGAN TERBANG ANTARABANGSA = International Airport
LITAR LUMBA = Racing Circuit
PUSAT KHIDMAT PELANGGAN = Customers Service Center
PUSAT PENERANGAN PELANCONGAN = Tourist Information Center
JAMBATAN = Bridge
JAMBATAN TIMBANG = Weighing Bridge
STESEN KERETAPI = Railway Station
TANDAS = Toilet
TELEFON = Telephone
BANGUNAN IBUSAWAT TELEFON = Telephone exchange building
MENARA = Tower
TANJUNG = Cape
TELUK = Bay
PULAU = Island
SUNGAI = River
PARIT = Canal
PINTU AIR = Water gate
KAWASAN TENTERA = Armed forces base area
KAWASAN LARANGAN = Prohibited area
KELUAR = EXIT
MASUK = ENTER
KENDERAAN DILARANG MASUK = No Entry for Vehicles
PANDU CERMAT = Drive Smartly
LIKU TAJAM = Sharp Bends
LENCONGAN = Detour
I'm in a Motorbike Accident! What Should I Do Now?
Everyone can do all the right things and be the safest drive on the planet. But let's face it, accidents do happen when you least expect it, be it in the bustling melting pot of Kota Kinabalu or the rural solitude of the outskirt areas. The following tips can help you reduce the inevitable tension ;
If You Are Injured
- Stay calm and don't panic. Check how serious the injuries are as your life is more important. If you need medical assistance, call the 991 for the ambulance. Do call GG Rent A Motorbike (while you can) with the phone numbers that were provided to you during pre-rental period.
If You Are NOT Injured
- Immediately call GG Rent A Motorbike to inform the incident.
- If the accident is in a dangerous spot, go to a safe place nearby with or without the motorbike (depending on your current situation). Maintain your composure and avoid any arguments.
- Note down the names, address telephone numbers and insurers of the other parties involved in the accident and offer yours as well.
- Note down the car registration numbers, make, model and color of the other vehicle/vehicles involved. Even better would be to use your mobile phone camera/digital camera to do so (for hard proof). Remember the time of the accident.
- Do not negotiate to offer compensation to third party and do not admit liability (verbal or written) as it would jeopardize your rights to claim if the other party is at fault.
