In everyday traffic, vehicles in Brunei drive on the left and overtake on the right. The Land Transport Department (JPD) is responsible for driving licences, vehicle registration, vehicle licence fees, technical inspections, public transport and road safety. The Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) regulates transport policy. The Ministry of Development, together with the Public Works Department (Jabatan Kerja Raya), maintains road infrastructure, while the Royal Brunei Police enforces traffic rules. Brunei had a total of 3,826.2 kilometres of roads in 2024. Private cars shape daily traffic. The public bus (Public Bus) is operated by private providers and costs BND 1 per trip. It usually runs from 06:00 to 18:00, including public holidays, among other places in Brunei-Muara and Belait and between Seria and Bandar Seri Begawan. Routes and frequency can change and should be checked before travelling. Taxis charge by meter. Service and availability depend on the driver and operating area. Dart arranges rides through an app and is available in all four districts. The price is shown in the app, and the trip depends on a driver accepting the request. Water taxis operate frequently around Kampong Ayer. Boats play a central role for Temburong because there is no direct road connection. An official travel guide gives a one-way fare of BND 7 for adults and operating hours from 07:45 to 16:00. The fare and timetable should be checked before travelling. Current water connections are published by the Maritime and Port Authority of Brunei Darussalam (MPABD). Muara Port mainly serves freight traffic as well as some passenger and RoRo services. A local railway network has not been documented. Roads, buses, private vehicles, water taxis and air connections provide the available links. Brunei International Airport is the main access point for international passenger traffic. The Civil Aviation Department (DCA) publishes current flight information, but flight times and frequencies change. Road transport, taxis or Dart are used to reach the airport. Driving requires a valid licence issued by the JPD. A provisional driving licence is valid for one year. A regular driving licence can be valid for one, three, five or ten years. The fees are BND 10, 30, 50 or 100 depending on the validity period; an additional application fee of BND 10 applies. Foreign visitors may drive under the conditions of the 1949 Convention with an International Driving Permit. For stays of more than one year and for commercial or public driving, the requirements for obtaining a Brunei driving licence must be checked separately. A vehicle licence (Vehicle Licence) is the state vehicle licence and a vehicle-related charge. For private cars and motorcycles, the fee basis is BND 2.25 per 100 cm³. For taxis and other commercial vehicles it is BND 4.50, for motor buses BND 6 and for trailers BND 10 per 100 cm³. Renewal depends on vehicle class and age. Statutory third-party liability insurance is separate. Seat belts are mandatory; the JPD recommends their use for all occupants. Children under three years old need an approved child seat. Using a mobile phone while driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding, and dangerous or negligent driving may be sanctioned and may result in points under the penalty-point system. Special duties apply at pedestrian crossings. Bicycles must be ridden on the left, use signals and be ridden with a helmet. Riding abreast and towing other vehicles are prohibited. Bicycle offences may be punished by up to BND 200 for a first offence and up to BND 500 for subsequent offences. The land borders lead to Malaysia. Foreign travellers must complete an electronic arrival card (E-Arrival Card) before entering by land, sea or air. Since 1 April 2026, foreign vehicles entering the country must have a tank that is at least three-quarters full. The same requirement applies to Brunei vehicles on their second or subsequent entry within 24 hours. Foreign vehicles may only refuel with V-Power at the market price. Current border information should be checked before travelling. Walking and cycling are mainly suitable for short journeys in town centres, residential areas, terminals and Kampong Ayer. There is no dense nationwide infrastructure for daily cycling. Connections and pavements vary by location. Temperatures of about 24 to 35 °C, high humidity and frequent rainfall affect comfort and safety. According to the official baseline for 2018, land transport caused around 13.6 percent of national greenhouse-gas emissions. The goal of reaching a 60 percent share of electric vehicles in annual new-car sales by 2035 is a policy target, not an outcome already achieved. In 2024, the vehicle fleet comprised 326,604 registered or licensed vehicles, including 260,827 petrol vehicles, 62,939 diesel vehicles, 150 electric vehicles and 1,267 hybrid vehicles. Current information on transport, border crossings, flights and water connections should be checked directly with the relevant provider or with the JPD, DCA, MPABD and the responsible border authorities.
Transport in Brunei
Transport in Brunei relies mainly on roads and private cars. Public buses, taxis and Dart supplement the options. Water taxis connect Kampong Ayer and Temburong. There is no railway network.
Tip
Plan journeys in Brunei according to distance, timetable, availability and the last connection. A private car offers the greatest independence, while the public bus has a fixed fare of BND 1 and Dart or taxis offer more flexibility. For Kampong Ayer and Temburong, as well as for border and air travel, plan for additional timetables, access requirements and current notices.