Road signs in Malaysia

Road signs in Malaysia are standardised road signs similar to those used in Europe but with certain distinctions. Until the early 1980s, Malaysia closely practice in road sign design, with diamond-shaped warning signs and circular restrictive signs to regulate traffic. Signs usually use the Transport Heavy (cf. the second image shown to the right) font on non-tolled roads and highways. Tolled expressways signs use a font specially designed for the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) which is LLM Lettering. It has two type of typefaces, LLM Narrow and LLM Normal. Older road signs used the FHWA Series fonts (Highway Gothic) typeface also used in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Malaysian traffic signs use Bahasa Melayu (Malay), the official and national language of Malaysia. However, English is also used for used at public places such as tourist attractions, airports, railway stations and immigration checkpoints. Both Malay and English are used in the road signs that are located along the Pengerang Highway (Federal Route 92), which links Kota Tinggi to Sungai Rengit in Johor state and Genting Sempah-Genting Highlands Highway which links Genting Sempah to Genting Highlands, which also have Chinese and Tamil on signs.

According to the road category under Act 333, the Malaysian Road Transport Act 1987, chapter 67, blue traffic signs are used for federal, state and municipal roads. Green signs are used for toll expressways or highways only.^[1] There are four major types of road signs in Malaysia. First is Warning Signs (Tanda Amaran), second is Prohibition Signs (Tanda Larangan), third is Mandatory Signs (Tanda Wajib) and fourth is Information Signs (Tanda Maklumat).^[2]

Expressways use letters E-- (Example:   North–South Expressway Northern Route)

Exits numbers usually starts with the Expressway route number and then exit number (Example:   West Coast Expressway West Coast Expressway Exit 23 Teluk Intan (Exit 3223))

Federal Roads only use numbers and digits, for example Federal Route 1 (Example: Federal Route 1). However, federal road numbers can also be added with the FT— prefix before the route number, which is normally used by the Malaysian Public Works Department (JKR) and the Royal Malaysia Police. For example, Federal Route 1 can also be written as Federal Route FT1.^[3] There are also service roads off of main federal roads that use letters after its main route (Example:   FT 2A).

State roads use letters that correspond to each state. (refer here for state letter codes/plate numbers)

• Federal roads route code shield

• State roads route code shield

• Expressway (toll road) route code shield

• Service road route code shield

• Local authority route code shield

Malaysian warning signs are diamond-shaped or rectangular and are yellow and black or red and white in colour.

• Uneven surface

• Double curve to the right

• Double curve to the left

• Crossroads

• Level crossing with gates ahead

• Level crossing with automatic gates ahead

• Level crossing without gates ahead

• Downhill slope ahead with gradient of 10%

• Uphill slope ahead with gradient of 10%

• Curve to the left

• Curve to the right

• Winding road

• Dangerous shoulder

• Slippery surface

• Pedestrians

• Children

• Other dangers nearby

• Caution

• Stop sign ahead

• Give way sign ahead

• Road narrows

• Road narrows on the left

• Road narrows on the right

• Traffic signals ahead

• Obstruction ahead

• Obstruction marker

• Stacked crossroad junctions

• Stacked crossroad junctions, no entry on first junction on the right

• Stacked crossroad junctions, no entry on first junction on the left

• Stacked crossroad junctions, no entry on preceding junction on the right

• Stacked crossroad junctions, no entry on preceding junction on the left

• T-junction

• Crossroad on the right

• Crossroad on the left

• Traffic merging from the right

• Traffic merging from the left

• Falling rocks on right

• Falling rocks on left

• Domestic animals

• Roundabout ahead

• Three-lane carriageway ahead, with one lane in the opposing direction

• Three-lane carriageway ahead, with two lanes in the opposing direction.

• Blind pedestrians

• Handicap crossing

• Narrow bridge

• Roadway diverges

• Two-way traffic

• Divided highway ends

• Divided highway ahead

• Chevron (right)

• Chevron (left)

• Weigh station ahead

• Wild animals

• Y-junction

• Reduce speed

• Reduce speed with speed limit

• Heavy vehicles, keep left

• Keep left, except overtaking

• Tunnel height limit

• Foggy area

• Blind people crossing

• High voltage area

• Emergency escape ramp 250 meters ahead

Malaysia prohibition signs are round with red outline and black pictogram.

• No left turn

• No right turn

• No entry

• Weight limit

• Height limit

• No cyclists with 4 or less wheels

• No motorcyclists

• No trucks

• No cyclists

• No mopeds

• No parking

• No stopping

• No honking area

• Give way traffic

• Width limit

• Stop, children crossing

• Slow moving vehicles not allowed on this road

• Overtaking for heavy vehicles not allowed

• Lorry and bus are not allowed on the right lane

• No hawking

Mandatory instruction signs are round with blue backgrounds and white pictogram. These are also used in signifying specific vehicle type lanes.

• Turn left

• Turn right

• Go straight ahead

• Go straight or turn left

• Go straight or turn right

• Turn left ahead

• Turn right ahead

• Bicycle lane

• Rickshaws only

• Motorcycles only

• Trishaws only

• Only vehicles shown are allowed

• Pass on the left

• Pass on the right

• Pass either side

• Bicycle lane with description (Rectangular)^[4]

These signs show speed limit on roads.

• Speed limit

• End of speed limit

• Speed limit zone ahead

• Speed limit reminder

• School zone speed limit

• Speed trap camera (AES) ahead

The construction signs in Malaysia are diamond-shaped placed on rectangular sign and are orange and black in colour.

• Roadworks

• Caution

• Left lane closed ahead

• Center lane closed ahead

• Right lane closed ahead

• Other dangers nearby

• Curve to the right

• Curve to the left

• Road narrows on the left

• Road narrows on the right

• Chevron (right)

• Chevron (left)

• Roadway diverges

• Construction works ahead in 200m

• Construction works ahead in 500 m with contractor company name

• Caution. Construction works ahead (with blank space provided to specify what works is being done in how many metres)

• Caution construction works ahead. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

• Caution, Reduce Speed

• Caution, Flood Area

• Construction site drive slowly

• We apologize for inconvenience caused

• Your cooperation and patience is very appreciated

• Traffic blockage is only temporary

• Temporary speed limit sign

• Caution heavy vehicles entering and exiting construction zone ahead

• Caution heavy vehicles entering and exiting construction zone ahead, with distance

• Flagman ahead with distance

• Flagman ahead in 200m

• Pass onto the left

• Pass onto the right

• Detour ahead with distacne

• Detour, follow arrow

• Detour to the left sign

• Detour to the right sign

• One lane road ahead

• Temporary narrow roads on the left in 200 metres

• Temporary narrow roads on the right in 200 metres

• Right lane closed

• Right lane closed

• Left lane closed

• Left lane closed

• Middle lane closed

• End of construction (option 1)

• End of construction (option 2)

Malaysian information signs are blue.

• First aid/hospital sign (Option 1)

• Hospital sign (Option 2)

• No through road

• U-turn

• P-turn

• Rest and Service Area (found at toll expressways)

• Rest and Service Area (found at non-tolled highways/major trunk roads)

• Bus Stop

• Truck stop

• Restaurant

• Toilet

• Petrol Station

• Surau / Mosque

• Jetty

• Pier

• Emergency Telephone

• Parking

• Wakaf (hut)

• Information Centre

• Repair shop

• ATM

• Touch 'n Go purchase and reload facilities

• Money Changer

• Airport

Malaysian motorcycle lane signs are blue.

• Motorcycle lane entrance

• Motorcycle lane gantry sign

• Motorcycle lane directions sign

• Rain shelter for motorcycles, 200 metres ahead

• Rain shelter for motorcycles pull-in

Expressway signs have a green background. If the sign is not located on an expressway but is leading to one, it will have a blue background with green box in it.

• Symbol of the Malaysian Expressways

• Direction to expressway with expressway name

• Direction to expressway

• To expressway direction

• Entrance to the toll expressway from non-tolled highway

• White with black letters signs for expressway names of closed toll systems

• Yellow with black letters signs for expressway names of opened toll systems

• Start of Expressway with road name and route code (Option 1)

• Start of Expressway (Option 2)

• End of Expressway with road name and route code (Option 1)

• End of expressway (Option 2)

• Expressway maintenance border limit (Option 1)

• Expressway maintenance border limit (Option 2)

• Expressway maintenance border limit (Option 3)

• Malaysian expressway shield with highway concessionaire logo and highway hotline number

• Driver location signs interchange hectometre markers

• This expressway accepts electronic toll collections (ETC) only

• This toll plaza accepts Electronic Toll Collections (ETC) only (Note: Batu Tiga Toll Plaza was demolished in 2017)

• Toll plaza ahead in 500 metres with its name

• Keep your lane

• Toll fare rates list

• Toll rates rates list (electronic toll collection (ETC) only)

• Motocycle entry lane on expressway signs

• Customer Service Centre sign, usually found at toll plaza

• Expressway distance sign

• Expressway distance sign with Asian Highway route shield

• Emergency signs with SOS logo

• Emergency SOS sign with highway hotline number

• SOS nearby signs, usually found at road barrier

• Shelter for motorcycles, 200 metres away

• Shelter for motorcycles on the left

• Layby and Rest and Service Area distance sign

• R&R entry

• Overhead Bridge Restaurant (OBR) entry sign

• Next R&R signs, usually found after R&R

• Layby entry

• Next layby signs, usually found after Layby

• Next Layby/R&R signs, usually found near the entrance of Layby/R&R.

• Direction to Vista Point

• Vista Point sign

• Tunnel 500 metres ahead

• Tunnel ahead, please turn on headlights

• Next interchange exit sign

• Name of interchange including exit signs (Usually found on expressways in urban areas)

• Exit 2 kilometres away

• Exit 1 kilometre away

• Exit 500 metres away

• Expressway tourist exit sign

• Gantry signs:- Exit approaching

• Exit to the left sign

• Gantry sign:- Expressway interchange 2 kilometres away

• Gantry sign:- Expressway interchange 1 kilometre away

• Gantry sign:- Expressway interchange 500 metres away

• Gantry sign:- Expressway interchange 250 metres away

• Direction lanes

Outdated sign designs that are no longer in use.

• Old interchange sign

• Old interchange sign with exit number

• Old next parking and rest and service area signs

• Old next parking and rest service area signs (Note: Gua Tempurung between Sungai Perak & Simpang Pulai Lay-By did not exist anymore because it was destroyed in 1996 after a landslide incident)

• Please take a transit ticket sign (Note: transit ticket systems are no longer used on closed toll expressways)

• Please take a transit card sign (Note: transit ticket systems are no longer used on closed toll expressways)

• Old start of expressway sign

• Old end of expressway sign

Malaysian road signs are blue and used for federal, state and municipal roads.

• Blue with white letters signs for major destinations
• Maroon with white letters signs for recreational places/tourist spot
• Blue with yellow letters signs for street names
• White with green letters signs for specific places/buildings
• Green with yellow letters signs for government buildings/institution
• White with blue letters signs for residential area

Federal Route 1 Federal Roads
 B13 State Roads

• Highway interchange directional sign with exit number

• 4-way intersection directional sign with exit number

• 3-way intersection directional signs ahead

• 3-way intersection directional sign with exit number (1000 metres)

• 3-way intersection directional sign with exit number (500 metres)

• 3-way intersection directional sign with exit number (100 metres)

• 3-way intersection directional sign including institution facilities with exit number (100 metres)

• 3-way intersection exit sign

• Route number direction sign

• 4-way roundabout directional sign with exit number

• Federal Road distance sign with road name

• Federal Road distance sign with road name and other major road

• Federal Road distance sign with road name and tourist destination

• Federal Road distance sign with road name and route to expressway

• Federal Road distance sign with road name and Asian Highway route shield

• Federal Road distance sign with Asian Highway route shield

• Secondary milestones

• Name of roads - gantry sign

• Federal Route gantry sign

• Airport gantry sign

• Gantry sign towards SMART tunnel

• 4-way intersection directions to town centre

• White with Black letters for exit signs

• Road name signs with route shield (local authority)

• Road name signs with route shield (JKR federal routes)

• Kilometre markers for federal roads, usually found on non-tolled highways

• Hectometre markers for federal roads, usually found on non-tolled highways

• Emergency phone in 250 metres sign on federal roads, mostly found on non-tolled highways and main roads

• Exit to next destinations (usually for highways)

• Intersection to next destinations (usually for trunk roads)

• 4-way intersection directions

• 4-way roundabout directions

• Places distance

As part of the Asian Highway Network.

• Asian Highway route shield

• Expressway distance sign with Asian Highway route shield

• Federal Road distance sign with Asian Highway route shield

• Federal Road distance sign with road name and Asian Highway route shield

Border signs in Malaysia are green for international and state and blue for district.

• International border signboard

• Selangor state border signboard

• Hulu Selangor district border signboard with JKR logo

• Petaling police district border signboard with Royal Malaysia Police logo.

• Malaysian Public Works Department (JKR) Maintenance Border Limit (Starts here)

• Malaysian Public Works Department (JKR) Maintenance Border Limit (Ends here)

These are other important signs in Malaysia such as government institutions and tourist destinations.

• White with black letters for towns and other settlements.
• Green with orange letters for government institutions.
• White with green letters and Maroon with white letters for tourist destinations.

• Entering town and settlements signs

• Government institutions (option 1)

• Government institutions (option 2)

• Tourist destinations (option 1)

• Tourist destinations (option 2)

• Industrial area direction sign

• Hospital direction sign

• Hotel direction sign

• Commercial centre direction sign

• University direction sign

• Golf course direction sign

• Townships direction sign

• Housing estate/neighbourhood sign

• Public transportation name signs

Malaysian tourist destination signs are in maroon with white and black icons.

• Tourist spot area by 500 m

• Tourist spot area

• Fishing area

• Swimming pool

• Recreation area

There is also a signs for weighing bridge.

• Malaysian Road Transport Department (JPJ) Enforcement Station entry sign

Road name sign in Malaysia have many different colours and styles according the local authority to design with them.

• An old Kuala Lumpur road name sign with a Blue background, white letters for road names and orange letters for postcodes.

• A state route (No JKR sign) with a Blue background and orange letters for road names.

• A rural road with a Blue background and white letters for road names and weight limit.

• A KLIA sign with a Blue background, white letters for road names and red letters for postcodes.

• A new Ipoh road name sign with a White background, green letters for road names and red letters for postcodes.

• A new Cameron Highlands road name sign with a Black background and white letters for road names and postcodes.

• A bilingual (Malay/Chinese) road sign in George Town, Penang which is under the authority of the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).

• Road name sign in Batu Pahat, Johor with dual-script (Malay-Jawi), under authority by MPBP

• A dual language (Malay/Chinese) road sign in Kuching, Sarawak under the authority of the Kuching South City Council (MBKS).

Road markings in Malaysia primarily use thermoplastic and are white. Yellow markings are usually for road shoulders, construction or temporary markings and parking.^[5]

Centre lines divide the road into either direction.

• Standard road centre line on urban and residential roads.

• Standard road centre line on federal roads.

• Strictly no overtaking center line.

• Overtaking is allowed with caution centre line, opposite direction cannot overtake.

• Overtaking not allowed, only opposite direction can overtake centre line.

Edge lines are located at the edges of a road, whether there is a median or pavement or not.

• Standard roadside edge line.

• No parking on roadside edge line.

• Opening on roadside edge line (building entrances, etc.)

• Strictly no parking or stopping on roadside edge line

Lane dividers divide road into lanes according to its designated width.

• Standard lane divider on highways (JKR R5) and urban/residential roads.

• Standard lane divider on highways (JKR R6) and federal roads.

• Overtaking and changing lanes not encouraged lane divider.

Directional marking consists of arrows and lettering on the road.

• Straight arrow

• Straight or turn left arrow

• Straight or turn right arrow

• Turn left arrow

• Turn right arrow

• Turn left or right arrow

• Straight or turn left or right arrow

• U-Turn arrow

• Junction direction lettering with arrow (Option 1)

• Junction direction lettering with arrow and route code (Option 2)

• AWAS (Caution) lettering

• PERLAHAN (slow down) lettering

• Bus lane divider

• Bus stop

• Taxi stand

• Give way

• Transverse rumble strip (usually placed before junctions, toll plaza or high density areas)

• Shoulder rumble strips (usually placed on highways at very hazardous areas)

• Touch n Go marker (at toll plazas)

• SmartTAG marker (at toll plazas)

• RFIDTag (also known as MyRFID) marker (at toll plazas)

These signs usually found at the bridge.

• Bridge numbers.

These signs usually found at the bridge.

• River sign with Department of Irrigation and Drainage (Jabatan Pengairan Dan Saliran) logo

• River sign (option 1)

• River sign (option 2)

Many expressways/highways has a border limit.

• Malaysian expressway exit signs.

• A direction signboard on Federal Route 3 in Terengganu.

• A typical road sign in Kuala Lumpur, with yellow letters for major thoroughfares and green letters on white background for parks and locations of interests. Smaller signs below it show directions for pedestrians and tourists.

• A typical pedestrian crossing traffic light in Kuala Lumpur with a countdown display and a pedestrian crossing sign above it.

• A road sign near Jalan Yam Tuan, Seremban with yellow letters for major roads and green letters on green signs for hospitals and white on green signs for expressways.

• A Federal Route code sign, placed at pole along the road.

• National Speed Limit signboard on Malaysian federal roads.

• Common state road signboard which is similar to the signboards on federal roads.

• Some road signs in Malaysia are in English, such as this one near Jalan Beringin in Damansara Town Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

• Drawbridge sign in Terengganu

• MyRFID toll booth lane at Gombak Toll Plaza

• Warning of risk flodding area

• Warning of risk hot water area

• Integrated Transport Information System
• Malaysian Expressway System
• Malaysian Federal Roads system
• Malaysian Public Works Department
• Malaysian Road Transport Department
• National Speed Limits
• Automated Enforcement System
• Puspakom
• Transportation in Malaysia

• Malaysian Public Works Department (JKR) website
• Malaysian Road Signs Information Brochure