Driving Differences: Australia vs Bangladesh Explained
When embarking on a journey, understanding the driving landscape is essential for a safe experience. This comparison between Australia and Bangladesh reveals striking distinctions, from lane markings and speed limits to alcohol regulations. Whether it’s the permissibility of overtaking or the nuances of traffic signals, knowing these variations can ensure a smoother trip abroad.
Lanes
| Australia | Bangladesh | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Marks the right edge on some roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Generally not allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in major cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | Often marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
bangladesh:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
Bus Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
bangladesh:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
australia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
australia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
bangladesh:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
bangladesh:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
bangladesh:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
bangladesh:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
bangladesh:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Bangladesh | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 25-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major areas |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
australia:
50 km/h
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
bangladesh:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
bangladesh:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
bangladesh:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
australia:
Yes
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Australia | Bangladesh | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in Bangladesh |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Bengali; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
australia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
bangladesh:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
australia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
australia:
English; symbols are standard
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
australia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Australia | Bangladesh | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Not commonly permitted |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Varies by area; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
Documentation
| Australia | Bangladesh | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Bangladesh | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
australia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
australia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Australia | Bangladesh | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common in checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Substantial, varies by offense |
Limits: General Drivers
australia:
0.05%
bangladesh:
0.00%
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
bangladesh:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
bangladesh:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
Roundabouts
| Australia | Bangladesh | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
bangladesh:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
bangladesh:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Bangladesh | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 9999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | Contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
bangladesh:
9999
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Bangladesh | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | Varies; can include fines and points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | Fines apply, varies by enforcement |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Varies depending on the severity of the violation |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | More common than in the USA |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
Common Fines: Alcohol
australia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred