Cross-border route

Malaysia Brunei

Driving across the border

Yes — you can drive from Malaysia into Brunei: carry a certified IDP translation of your licence alongside the original so border officials and rental desks can read your credentials. Brunei expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP, prepared in the 1949 Geneva Convention format. Both countries drive on the left, so there is no change of driving side at the border. Plan your border crossing in advance and keep your passport, national licence and IDP together.

Get my permit for Brunei Brunei requirements

Last reviewed July 2026

Route at a glance

FromMalaysia

ToBrunei

IDP in BruneiStrongly recommended

Accepted format1949 Geneva

Driving sideleft (no change)

Currency in BruneiBND

Emergency number993 (police), 991 (ambulance)

Top speed limit100 km/h highways

Malaysia → Brunei

Crossing the border

Malaysia and Brunei share a land border you can cross by car. Keep your passport, national driving licence and International Driving Permit together, and check opening hours and any toll or vignette requirements before you travel.

Driving rules in Brunei

Drive on the left.
Zero alcohol tolerance.
Seatbelts mandatory.
Fuel is cheap but resold to foreigners at higher rates.

Once you're driving in Brunei

Destination-specific detail sourced from national road authorities, motoring clubs and rental policies — the things that catch cross-border drivers out.

Driving on a foreign licence

Tourists may drive on a valid home licence together with an International Driving Permit, especially where the licence is not in English or Malay; an IDP is recommended to avoid issues at police checks and with rental firms. Driving is on the left.

Tolls & road charges

Brunei has no toll roads or vignette system - the highways, including the Muara-Tutong and Telisai-Lumut links, are free to use.

Parking in the cities

Bandar Seri Begawan uses coin/voucher metered parking bays in the city centre during business hours, with free parking common in suburban and tourist areas; observe the painted bay colours and pay-and-display rules to avoid a ticket.

Fines & camera enforcement

Seatbelts are compulsory, hand-held phone use is banned and speeding is camera- and patrol-enforced with fines; drink-driving is treated severely in this Muslim-majority sultanate. Rental firms pass camera fines back to the renter's card.

If you have an accident

Call 993 for police; do not leave the scene of a road accident until officers attend, as a police report is mandatory for insurance and any injury claim. Ambulance is 991.

Driving in the capital

Bandar Seri Begawan traffic is light and orderly by regional standards, but the city is car-dependent with limited public transport and roundabouts are common, so give way to the right when entering them.

Sources: tyremap.com · gov.uk · internationaldriversassociation.com · internationaldrivingpermit.org

Common questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive from Malaysia to Brunei?

Yes — Brunei commonly asks foreign drivers to carry an IDP with their national licence. Brunei recognises the 1949 Geneva Convention format, which is the format your certified IDP translation is prepared in.

Does the driving side change between Malaysia and Brunei?

No. Both Malaysia and Brunei drive on the left.

What is the emergency number and speed limit in Brunei?

In Brunei, dial 993 (police), 991 (ambulance) for emergencies; 112 also works from most GSM phones. The maximum for cars on the fastest road class is 100 km/h highways, but posted limits in towns and on secondary roads are lower and always take precedence.

How do tolls and road charges work in Brunei?

Brunei has no toll roads or vignette system - the highways, including the Muara-Tutong and Telisai-Lumut links, are free to use.

How quickly can I get an IDP for this trip?

International Driver Licence issues your digital IDP in as fast as 8 minutes, so you can have it ready before you set off.

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