Driving in a new country always comes with surprises, and Malaysia is no exception. On the surface, the roads seem pretty normal — cars drive on the left, traffic lights work, signs exist. But once you’re actually behind the wheel, things might not go the way you expect.
If you’re planning to drive in Malaysia, start with this full guide to driving in Malaysia as a tourist — written by a local (yep, that’s me!)— which covers everything from licensing rules to parking, tolls, petrol, and other driving tips. But for now, here’s a list of little quirks and surprises that might catch you off guard once you’re actually on the road.
1. Signaling is optional (apparently)
Probably one of the most annoying things about Malaysian drivers is how casually they treat their turn signals. Many don’t use them at all when changing lanes or turning. It’s really more of an attitude issue than a technical one, so you’ll see this behavior from drivers in brand new vehicles just as much as old ones.
Some drivers simply don’t think it’s important to signal, or they assume others will just figure it out. When in doubt, give others more space than you normally would. A lot of local driving behavior depends on anticipating what people might do rather than what they’re actually telling you — so get ready to read between the lines, or in this case, between the lanes.
2. Using your hands to communicate on the road
Sometimes, Malaysian drivers use their hands more than their indicators. A quick hand wave can mean anything from “Go ahead” to “Let me squeeze through” to “Thanks” or even “Oops, my bad.” Pedestrians do it too — you’ll often see someone raise a hand as they cross the road, either to signal their intention or to say thank you for letting them pass.
If you accidentally cut someone off, raising your palm in apology (bonus points for adding a small nod) usually helps smooth things over. Drivers here don’t always follow the rules by the book, but there’s an unspoken sense of courtesy — and hand gestures play a big role in that.
3. Motorcyclists seem to think they're invincible
Malaysia has a large number of motorcycles on the road. Although not as many as in Vietnam or Indonesia, you’ll still notice them everywhere.
For a lot of Malaysians, motorcycles are the cheapest and fastest way to beat traffic. That also means you’ll find them appearing in your blind spot, overtaking from either side, and squeezing into gaps that don’t look big enough for a bicycle, let alone a motorbike.
At traffic lights, it’s completely normal for motorcyclists to filter to the front of the line. Don’t take it personally or try to block them — it’s an accepted practice. Just keep an eye out when the light turns green, because they’ll usually be the first to zoom off.
When you’re driving, you’ll need to be extra aware when changing lanes, turning, or even opening your car door after parking. Always check your side mirrors and do a shoulder check — mirrors alone might not catch a fast-moving bike sneaking up next to you. If you’re not used to sharing the road with so many motorcycles, it can feel chaotic at first, but it becomes second nature after a while.
4. No left turn on red -- unless it says so
In the U.S., it’s normal to turn right at a red light after stopping, as long as it’s safe and there’s no sign telling you not to. In countries where people drive on the left, like Malaysia, the equivalent would be turning left at a red light. But in Malaysia, that’s not allowed by default.
You’re only allowed to make a left turn at a red light if there’s a green left-turn arrow or a sign that says you can. These signs usually read: “Belok kiri jika selamat”, which translates to “Turn left if safe.” If you see that, it means you’re allowed to turn left after checking for oncoming traffic and making sure it’s clear.
5. Lane discipline is... flexible
One of the things you might notice when driving in Malaysia is how loosely some drivers treat lane markings. On multi-lane roads, it’s not unusual to see cars straddling the dividing line, as if the lanes are just suggestions. Lane changes often happen without any signal — sometimes suddenly, and without much warning — which means you’ll need to stay alert and keep a safe distance, especially in heavy traffic.
In big cities like Kuala Lumpur or Penang, things get even more chaotic. During rush hour, drivers may create their own “unofficial” lanes, squeezing into any available space just to get ahead. It’s also fairly common to see the emergency lane used as an escape route during traffic jams, even though it’s illegal.
The best approach is to stay calm, drive defensively, and focus on your own lane.
6. Speedbumps are frequent and sometimes unmarked
Speed bumps aren’t just found in residential areas. You’ll see them near schools, shops, petrol stations, and sometimes on completely random stretches of road.
Most are officially installed by local councils, clearly marked with bright yellow stripes and warning signs. Some… are homemade. And yes, that means exactly what it sounds like — someone in the community decided cars were speeding too much, and took matters into their own hands with a pile of asphalt, concrete, or just a big hump of tar slapped across the road. These DIY bumps are usually unmarked, uneven, and sometimes taller than they should be. They do the job, but they can give you a real jolt if you don’t slow down in time.
At night or in low-light areas, these bumps are easy to miss — especially if the paint has faded or there was never any to begin with. If you’re not used to driving here, it’s a good idea to slow down near shopfronts, intersections, and residential roads, just in case.
7. Double parking is a national habit
There are more cars than there are parking spots, so in many commercial and high-density residential areas, you’ll often see cars double parked along the street. It’s not a rare sight; it happens daily, sometimes all day long. In some places, it’s even considered semi-acceptable behavior if you’re just running in to buy food or pick something up.
Drivers who double park usually display their phone number on the dashboard or leave their car in neutral so that, if you’re blocked in, you can physically push the car out of the way. It sounds ridiculous, but it’s something that Malaysians are just used to dealing with.
Of course, this isn’t exactly great etiquette, and it can cause real headaches for others. Enforcement can be inconsistent, but in some areas, especially in bigger cities, you could get fined or clamped.
8. Flashing headlights don't mean "go ahead"
In many Western countries, especially the US or UK, flashing headlights is a polite way of saying “you can go ahead” or “I’m letting you in.”
In Malaysia, the meaning is usually the opposite. If someone flashes their headlights here, especially when coming up behind you on highways, they’re basically saying: “You’re too slow for the fast lane. Move aside.”
Another quirky purpose of the headlights is to alert drivers from the opposite direction that there’s a police roadblock or speed trap ahead. It’s technically not allowed, of course — the police wouldn’t be thrilled — but it still happens. Malaysians may drive a little chaotically, but we do look out for each other in our own sneaky way.
9. Patience is a virtue... for another day
Malaysian drivers can be a little intense, especially on highways and in busy cities. Technically, overtaking should only happen on the right, but that rule isn’t strictly followed. You might get overtaken from both sides — the fast lane, the slow lane, or even the emergency lane. Keep an eye on your mirrors and don’t assume the car behind you will wait politely.
Tailgating is also common. If someone’s riding your bumper, don’t panic or slam the brakes. Just shift to a slower lane when it’s safe and let them pass. Trying to “block” them or hold your ground usually just makes things worse.
And as soon as the traffic light turns green, the car behind you will probably honk as a gentle nudge to move along. The pace of city driving here is quick, even if the traffic isn’t.
10. People slow down just to be nosy
The only time their patience is restored is when something “interesting” is going on.
You’re stuck in traffic, barely moving, thinking there must be an accident or roadwork ahead. But when you finally reach the “problem area,” you realize there’s nothing actually blocking your lane. The holdup was caused by people slowing down to gawk at something happening on the opposite side of the road. Some even take out their phones to snap photos or record videos for their Instagram story.
Malaysians are known to be friendly and caring, but sometimes they can be a little too caring — or just plain nosy, depending on how generous you’re feeling. Once drivers have had a good look, they pick up speed like nothing happened. Meanwhile, you’ve wasted 30 minutes going nowhere for no real reason.
Final thoughts
Driving in Malaysia isn’t as lawless as it might seem, but it does take a bit of adjusting — especially when you’re sharing the road with motorbikes, tailgaters, and people who think lane markings are mere suggestions. You’ll get used to it after a few days, and once you’re out of the cities, things usually get calmer.
Don’t forget to check out my Complete Guide to Driving in Malaysia as a Tourist, which covers tolls, fuel, licenses, and more — everything you’ll need if you’re thinking of driving here.
Did anything on this list surprise you — or did I miss something weird or confusing that you think should be included? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
