Malaysian Driving Habits Uncovered

10 Malaysian Habits and Unwritten Rules You Must Know When Driving in Malaysia

Hi Friends!

Welcome to Malaysia Information Site I'm Edwin here to finally uncovering the mysteries over unwritten rules of Malaysian driving habits that proved incomprehensible to many (especially to our foreign guests). Lets start with the first!.

Driving Habits No. #1

Headlights flashed (ONCE) at you from a car on the opposite lane (on a highway/small roads)

Edwin: When you see this, you are probably wanting to cross the opposite lane into a smaller road or you are at a junction where a smaller road meets a larger road . And while the car on the opposite is not at a speed to stop in time, he is indicating to you to stop and wait till he has passed.

Driving Habits No. #2

Headlights flashed (TWICE) at you from a car on the opposite lane (on the Freeway/Expressway)

Edwin: Our police shouldn't know about this.. But.. this indicates there is potentially a speed trap or a police roadblock ahead. As they are coming from the opposite direction, naturally they have passed where you are heading to.

Driving Habits No. #3

Flashing lights (TWICE) at you from a car on the opposite lane (on a highway/small roads)

Edwin: When you see this, you are probably wanting to cross the opposite road into a smaller road or you are at a junction where a smaller road meets a larger road . The car is probably slowing down and indicating that you may cross the opposite lane or to cut him if you are entering a larger road.

Driving Habits No. #4

Peculiar Triangle Lights blinking under the car's bumper whenever the car in front of you brakes

Edwin: This is nothing more than an F1 inspiration that Malaysians get since the erection of the Sepang International F1 Circuit

Driving Habits No. #5

Motorcyclist waving his left hand at you incessantly

Edwin: The motorcyclist is indicating that he is turning to the left. He and/or his passenger will wave his/their right hand if he intends to turn right

Driving Habits No. #6

Flashing turn right indicator form a car behind you on the right lane (right lane is the fastest lane in Malaysia)

Edwin: There is no law in Malaysia that penalizes going slow on the fastest lane (right lane), which is also a dedicated late for overtaking. If the car behind signals a turn right on a turn right lane he is indicating that you are too slow and he intends to overtake you but the Malaysian Driving Law prohibits overtaking on the left! Do the necessary!

Driving Habits No. #7

Motorcyclist planking while riding on a highway

Edwin: This is just plain nuisance. If you see one, more often than not, you will see them in a group.These people are called "Mat Rempit" in Bahasa. Most of the time, they are involved in illegal street racing and stuns. More popular stunts include Superman, Wheelie, Wikang and Scorpion

Driving Habits No. #8

Motorcyclist wearing his jacket backwards

Edwin: This is such as common sense, but many of my foreign friends highlighted this to me. The reason for this is the Jacket acts as a barrier to avoid direct contact between the rider and the wind pushing (while he is riding) against him, just like a windscreen on a car. The reason he doesn't button up his jacket is because Malaysia can be really hot, especially during the day

Driving Habits No. #9
People waving at you at the roadside, as if they know you

Edwin: Some secluded areas are not covered by taxis. These places are mainly rural areas or villages. These people wants to hitch a ride from you. Either this or if this happens in town, the people may want to save some money on transport or just plain lazy to call a cab

Now, the ultimate mystery uncovers..... 

Driving Habits No. #10
Malaysian drivers signal left and turn right, and turn left when they signaled right

Edwin: This usually happens at a T-junction. Picture this, you are the driver at a T-junction and you want to turn left and you want to signal left... but, would the car coming from your right able to see your signal? Not at all! Your car is almost perfectly rectangular, remember? Malaysians are clever people, aren't they?

I hope you have enjoyed this post and please read the disclaimer statement below.

Please take this tips as a pinch of salt and use your own discretion while driving. In no circumstances this post should encourage or recommend you to perform the abovementioned acts and there is no Malaysian Law indicating or verifying the acts as legal. This post is only a point of view by the writer and only based on this observation and may not be accurate. Neither Malaysia Information Site nor Edwin is liable for any damage or casualties caused.

If you have any comments on this article please do contact us or post a local event happening in Malaysia on our Blog.

Have a nice day!