Some drivers might not realize this, but the road and safety signs in Malaysia actually have different meanings and functions according to their shape, font size, signboard color, placement, and symbol.
In Malaysia, these are standardized road signs similar to those used in Europe but with certain distinctions. They are placed in areas that are clearly visible to guide, warn, prohibit, or inform road users.
The language used for the road and safety signs boards is mainly Bahasa Melayu, but English is also used for important areas such as tourist attractions, airports, railway stations, and immigration checkpoints.
We already know that these sign boards have different meanings and functions, but what are they exactly? Let’s find out!
5 Different Types of Safety Signs in Malaysia
Here’s a deep dive into the different types of road signs in Malaysia and how they are differentiated by their color.
| Types of road signs | Road sign background color | Meaning |
| Regulatory Sign | Red/Blue |
|
| Warning Sign | Yellow |
|
| Guide Sign | Blue/Green/Brown/White/Yellow |
|
| Temporary Sign | Orange |
|
| Information Sign | Blue/Brown/White/Yellow/Green/Red |
|
1. Regulatory Road Signs (Red, White & Black)
These signs are placed at various locations throughout the road, and road users must follow these signs. These mandatory road signs are the most important ones that you need to know to ensure you abide by traffic regulations and rules.
They consist of round, square, triangle, and sometimes even hexagon shaped signs with white backgrounds and can have red borders, and black or blue pictograms as well. Some mandatory signs which fall under this same category also have blue backgrounds and white pictograms.
2. Warning Road Signs (Red, Yellow, or Black)
These warning signs are to provide information on road conditions in front of or adjacent that could be dangerous to road users. These are often in red, yellow, or black and are diamond-shaped.
2a. Animal Warning Signs
Another sub-set of warning signs are these black-on-yellow animal silhouette signs. You come across plenty of these in rural and jungle areas. These are used to serve as caution to drivers as animals such as tapirs, elephants, cows and buffaloes often cross these streets.
3. Guide Road Signs
(Blue, Green, Brown, White, or Yellow)
Guide road signs are used to show directions or the distance to a destination (in km). It is usually in blue, green, brown, white, or yellow.
4. Information Road Signs (Blue & White)
Information road signs are the ones that you would see most frequently used in Malaysia as they provide road users with general information about the road that they are using and the road ahead. These signs are usually in blue and white.
5. Constructions/Temporary Road Signs (Orange & Black)
These road signs are used when constructions or road maintenances are taking place temporarily. These signs are usually in orange and black.
Other Relevant Road Signs in Malaysia
Blue Sign Boards
According to the road category under 333 Act, The Malaysian Road Transport Act 1987, chapter 67, blue signboards are used for federal, state, and municipal roads.
Green Sign Boards
Green sign boards are used for toll expressways or highways in Malaysia only.
Federal Roads/Highway Sign Boards
The Federal Road System is the country’s main road network. Federal roads are usually labeled with route number shields like Federal Road 1. Apart from roads, several highways funded by the federal government such as the Federal Highway and the Skudai Highway are also known as federal roads.
There are different types of Federal Roads in Malaysia, which include:
- Main Federal Roads – available in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak.
- FELDA/FELCRA Federal Roads – found in FELDA and FELCRA estates in Peninsular Malaysia and certain locations in Sarawak.
- Industrial Areas – access to industrial areas in Peninsular Malaysia and certain locations in Sarawak.
- Entrance to the Regional Development Authority (LKW).
- Federal Territory Designated (FD) Roads that have been gazetted.
- Federal Institutions/Institutional Facilities – access to federal institutional facilities such as universities, institutes, military bases, airports, radio frequency stations, hospitals, tourist attractions, and more.
| Information | Number Digits |
| Main federal route number | 001 – 249 |
| Institutional facilities federal routes | 250 – 479 |
| Federal road exit numbers | EXIT 1 – EXIT 99 EXIT 201 – EXIT 29 |
| Main federal route numbers (Sarawak) | 1-1 – 1-59 3-1 – 3-99 |
| Main federal route number (Sabah) | A01 – A99 |
| Main federal route number (Labuan) | 700 – 799 |
| FELDA/FELCRA federal route number | 1000 – 1999 2000 – 2999 |
| Industrial federal route numbers | 3000 – 3999 |
State Roads Sign Boards
In general, state roads and federal roads use the same standard signs. State roads are funded by the state governments through their respective Public Works Departments (JKR). The state road system uses a letter of the alphabet for its route number.
| State Code | State |
| A | Perak |
| B | Selangor |
| C | Pahang |
| D | Kelantan |
| J | Johor |
| K | Kedah |
| M | Melaka |
| N | Negeri Sembilan |
| P | Penang |
| R | Perlis |
| SA | Sabah |
| T | Terengganu |
‘E” Code Sign Boards
The letter ‘E’ is an abbreviation for Expressway which is also known as highway in Malaysia. The boards for these expressways and highways are green and are only suitable for expressways and highways with tolls. These signboards have –
- JKR hexagon-shaped highway shield with expressway/highway code signs that are black and yellow.
- Green with white signs for major destinations.
Signboards with Yellow Words
These signboards usually refer to the name of a certain road.
Signboards with White Words
The white words refer to the names of cities and areas.
Signboards with White Words and Maroon Background
These signboards refer to a tourist destination. White signboards with green letters also indicate the location of tourist attractions.
Important Signboards
White with black letters for towns and other settlements. Green with orange letters for government institutions.
Border Signboards
Border signs in Malaysia are green for international and state while blue is for the district.
The Arrangement of Destinations on Signboards
Destinations on signboards are arranged according to distance. The nearest location is placed at the very top, while the furthest location is placed at the very bottom.
Fun Facts on Malaysian Highways
- Longest highway: North-South Highway (966 km)
- Busiest highway: Federal Highway (Daily traffic volume of around 1,366,071)
- The oldest highway tunnel: Genting Sempah Tunnel on the Karak Highway
- Longest highway tunnel: SMART E38 Tunnel (4km)
- Longest highway bridge: Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge (23.37km)
- The second-longest highway bridge: Penang Bridge (13.5km)
- Toll booths with the most lanes: Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge Toll with 28 lanes
With that, we wish you a pleasant and safe trip on your journeys ahead.
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*Images in this article are sourced from Wikipedia.
