Driving in Bangladesh vs. Belize: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Bangladesh and Belize, it's essential to understand the unique traffic regulations and practices that ensure safe travel. From driving on different sides of the road to varying speed limits and alcohol regulations, this comparison highlights crucial distinctions that every traveler should be aware of for a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
belize:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
belize:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
belize:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
belize:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
belize:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
belize:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
belize:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
belize:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
belize:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
belize:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
belize:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
belize:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 25 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 mph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 40-55 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 40-55 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 40-55 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 55-65 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 55-65 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 55-65 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | No |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes, fines are usually collected immediately |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
belize:
25 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
belize:
25 mph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
belize:
40-55 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
belize:
40-55 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
belize:
40-55 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
belize:
55-65 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
belize:
55-65 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
belize:
55-65 mph
Speed Units
bangladesh:
km/h
belize:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
belize:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
belize:
No
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
belize:
Yes, fines are usually collected immediately
Signals
| Bangladesh | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bangladesh | Not used in Belize |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
belize:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
belize:
Not used in Belize
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
belize:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
belize:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
belize:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bangladesh | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
belize:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
belize:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Mandatory annually; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
belize:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
belize:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
belize:
Mandatory annually; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
belize:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
belize:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
belize:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Less common; checkpoints used occasionally |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
belize:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
belize:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
belize:
Zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
belize:
Less common; checkpoints used occasionally
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
belize:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
belize:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
belize:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
belize:
911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
belize:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Belize | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; BZD$100 to $500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Varies; significant fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Yes, fines are often collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
belize:
Varies; BZD$100 to $500
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
belize:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
belize:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
belize:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
belize:
Varies; significant fines
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
belize:
Yes, fines are often collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
belize:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay