Brunei Highway Code Theory key terms

A solid white line painted across your lane at a junction or signal. You must bring the vehicle to a complete halt with the front of the vehicle behind this line whenever a stop is required.

A broken white line marking where you must slow down and yield to traffic already on the main road or already circulating. You need not stop if the way is genuinely clear, but you must be ready to.

A junction area marked with a yellow criss-cross grid. You must not enter it unless your exit is clear, so that queuing vehicles do not block cross traffic. Turning right is allowed while waiting for a gap.

Lines along the edge of the carriageway showing that parking, waiting and loading are prohibited at all times. Single yellow lines usually restrict parking only during posted hours shown on nearby signs.

A stretch of road where stopping on the carriageway is prohibited, indicated by signs and often by a solid yellow line at the kerb. It exists to keep traffic flowing and to protect buses and emergency vehicles.

Coloured lights controlling traffic at junctions. Red means stop behind the line, amber means stop unless it is unsafe to do so, and green means proceed only if the exit beyond the junction is clear.

An arrow illuminated alongside a red or amber main light, permitting movement only in the direction the arrow points. Traffic going straight on or turning elsewhere must still obey the main signal.

The priority one road user has over another in a given situation. It is never absolute and is given rather than taken; drivers should yield whenever another person is already committed to the manoeuvre.

A circular junction where traffic already circulating normally has priority. Approach slowly, give way to the right where that rule applies, signal your intended exit, and never change lanes while inside the circle.

Passing another road user travelling in the same direction. Overtake only where it is legal and safe, with a clear view ahead, and never on a blind bend, at a junction or where solid lines forbid it.

The gap you keep behind the vehicle ahead so you can stop if it brakes suddenly. A common guide is at least two seconds in good conditions, doubled or more when the road is wet or visibility is poor.

The total distance a vehicle travels from the moment the driver notices a hazard until it comes to rest. It combines thinking distance, covered during reaction time, with the braking distance needed to lose speed.

The maximum legal speed for a road, shown on signs or implied by the area type. It is a ceiling for ideal conditions, not a target; you must drive slower when weather, traffic or visibility demand it.

Driving too close behind the vehicle in front. It removes your margin for reaction if that vehicle brakes and intimidates the driver ahead. Drop back and, if needed, let the impatient driver pass.

The area around a vehicle that mirrors do not show. Always turn your head to check it before changing lanes or pulling out, and avoid lingering in another driver's blind spot on multi-lane roads.

The skill of scanning ahead and spotting developing risks, such as a child near the kerb or a car edging out of a side road, early enough to respond smoothly rather than braking hard at the last moment.

A style of driving that assumes other people will make mistakes. You keep space around the vehicle, plan escape routes, anticipate hazards early and never rely on another road user to do the correct thing.

Loss of tyre grip on a wet road when a layer of water builds between tyre and surface. Steering and braking become ineffective. Ease off the accelerator, hold the wheel steady and avoid sudden braking.

Driving in reduced visibility. Use dipped headlights and fog lights where fitted, slow down, increase the gap ahead and never follow another vehicle's tail lights too closely as a guide.

Rules for when lights must be on and which beam to choose. Dipped headlights are needed at night and in poor visibility; full beam helps on unlit roads but must be dipped for oncoming or followed traffic.

Tiredness that becomes more dangerous after dark, when the body expects sleep and glare adds strain. Take breaks, avoid driving late if already tired, and stop somewhere safe at the first signs of drowsiness.

Mental and physical tiredness that slows reactions and can cause micro-sleeps at the wheel. Rest before long trips, take regular breaks and treat yawning, heavy eyes or drifting attention as a warning to stop.

The maximum permitted blood or breath alcohol concentration for a driver. Even amounts below the legal limit impair judgement and reaction, so the safest rule is not to drink at all before driving.

Being physically and mentally able to control a vehicle safely. Illness, injury, exhaustion, alcohol, drugs and some medicines can all make you unfit, and you must not drive if your ability is impaired.

A label or advice stating that a medicine may cause drowsiness or slow reactions. Check with a pharmacist before driving, and never drive if the medicine affects your alertness or coordination.

The requirement for drivers and passengers to wear seat belts where fitted, and for children to use an appropriate child restraint. The driver is responsible for ensuring younger passengers are properly restrained.

A seat or booster designed for a child's size, used until the child is tall enough for an adult belt to fit correctly. It must be suitable for the child's weight or height and fitted as the manufacturer instructs.

The quick walk-round and cockpit check before moving off: tyres, lights, mirrors, seat and head restraint position, fuel level and that nothing blocks the pedals or view. It takes a minute and prevents common faults.

The minimum legal groove depth that keeps tyres gripping, especially on wet roads. Check tread and pressure regularly when cold, and replace tyres before they reach the legal limit.

How much lubricating oil sits in the sump, checked with the dipstick when the engine is cold and the car is level. Too little causes engine damage; too much can also cause problems.

What to do when a vehicle stops working: move it off the carriageway if possible, switch on hazard lights, place a warning triangle where safe, get occupants behind a barrier and call for assistance.

Flashing indicators on all four corners, used to warn others that your vehicle is stationary, slow-moving or in difficulty. They are not a parking permit and should be switched off once moving normally.

Applying the brakes firmly and progressively to stop as quickly as possible in a crisis. Keep both hands on the wheel, do not pump modern anti-lock brakes, and steer only after the vehicle has slowed.

A marked place where people on foot have priority once they begin to cross. Approach at a speed that lets you stop, look for people waiting, and never overtake a vehicle that has stopped at a crossing.

A crossing marked by broad alternating light and dark stripes, often with flashing beacons. Drivers must give way to pedestrians on the crossing and should not park on or near the stripes.

Anyone with little physical protection in a collision, such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and children. Give them extra space and time, and expect unpredictable movement near junctions and parked cars.

The gap you leave when overtaking someone on a bicycle. Give at least a metre in built-up areas and more at higher speeds, and wait behind rather than squeezing past when the road is narrow.

Riding between lanes of slower or stationary traffic. Drivers should check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes or opening doors, and signal intentions early so filtering riders are not surprised.

Adjusting speed to the actual conditions rather than simply obeying the posted limit. Rain, darkness, roadworks, heavy traffic or unfamiliar roads all call for a lower speed and greater margin.