Roads in Malaysia are generally in good repair and driving standards are higher than in most Asian countries. In general, road routes are simply numbered. Traffic drives on the left and it is compulsory to wear a seat belt. The speed limits are 60kph (37mph) in the city, 90kph (56mph) on main country roads and 110kph (69mph) on highways and expressways. The minimum age for driving is 21 years (16 years for a motorcycle). A national driving licence is required and it is advisable to obtain an International Driving Permit. Without the latter, the Road Transport Department must endorse any national licence. Third party automobile liability insurance is compulsory. Drink-driving is an offence that is taken very seriously in Malaysia, and is punished with large fines or imprisonment.

The North-South Highway, which extends from Singapore to the Thai border via Kuala Lumpur, has made driving in Malaysia a relative breeze. Although driving standards are good, Malaysia still has its share of drivers who take risks such as overtaking on blind corners, speeding in heavy rainfall and jumping red traffic lights.

A letter of introduction from a driver's own automobile association is required to join the Automobile Association Malaysia (AAM) (tel: (03) 2162 6915; website: www.autotrade.com.my/aam).

Emergency breakdown service(s): Automobile Association Malaysia (tel: (03) 2161 0808; website: www.aam.org.my). Plusronda (tel: (03) 7981 8000; website: www.plus.com.my/plusronda.asp) provides 24-hour emergency telephones, situated every 2km (1.2 miles) on expressways and highways.

Routes to the city: The North-South Expressway Central Link (NSECL), Federal Highway, Shal Alam Expressway and Klang Valley Expressway Highway are the main routes to the city centre. Both the NSECL and the federal road Route 1 run from Johor Baru, which is connected via bridge to Singapore in the south, to Kuala Lumpur and from Butterworth/Penang into the city centre. From Melaka, the federal road Route 5 connects to the Shah Alam and Klang Valley Express Highway into Kuala Lumpur city centre.

Approximate driving times to Kuala Lumpur: From Melaka - 2 to 3 hours; Singapore - 5 to 6 hours; Butterworth/Penang - 6 to 7 hours.

Coach services: A large number of companies operate air-conditioned services, including Transnasional Express (tel: (03) 2070 3300). In most cases, there is no need for travellers to book in advance and passengers simply turn up and get on the next bus. The main terminal, Puda Raya Bus Station, Jalan Puda Raya (tel: (03) 230 0145), is a hub for services all over Peninsula Malaysia, as well as international services to Singapore (journey time - 7 to 8 hours) and Thailand (journey time - 12 to 13 hours). The terminal is currently in the midst of a major renovation programme that will see shops and offices added as well as improved transport facilities. The project is due for completion at the end of 2009.

Services to the east coast of Peninsula Malaysia also leave from Putra Bus Station, opposite the Putra World Trade Centre, and Pekeliling Bus Station. Banguan MARA Bus Station serves destinations to the south.