Driving Differences: Bangladesh vs Bhutan Uncovered
When navigating the roads of Bangladesh and Bhutan, drivers encounter notable disparities that impact road safety. Key distinctions include lane markings and speed limits, with Bangladesh permitting left overtaking while Bhutan advocates for right overtaking. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and compliant driving experience in both nations.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed. | Yes |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
bhutan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bangladesh:
Yes
bhutan:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
bhutan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
bhutan:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
bhutan:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
bhutan:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
bhutan:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
bhutan:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
bhutan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
bhutan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | Up to 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | Up to 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | Up to 60 km/h |
| 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
bhutan:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
bhutan:
No
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
bhutan:
Yes
Signals
| Bangladesh | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Bhutan |
| 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
bhutan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
bhutan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bangladesh | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Restricted; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
bhutan:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended, not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended, not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common, especially during events |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Substantial and imprisonment possible |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
bhutan:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
bhutan:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
bhutan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended, not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended, not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
bhutan:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
bhutan:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; often involves fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically immediate payment required |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
bhutan:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
bhutan:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
bhutan:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required