Driving in Bangladesh vs. Bolivia: Key Safety Insights
Driving in Bangladesh and Bolivia presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should be aware of. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides of the road, variations in speed limits, and differing rules regarding alcohol consumption. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
bolivia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
bolivia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
bolivia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
bolivia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
bolivia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
bolivia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
bolivia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
bolivia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
bolivia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
bolivia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
bolivia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
bolivia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | No, not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes, fines can be issued immediately |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
bolivia:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
bolivia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
Signals
| Bangladesh | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Bolivia |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Spanish |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
bolivia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
Horn Usage: Allowed
bangladesh:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
bolivia:
Spanish
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Bangladesh | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with an International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
bolivia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
bolivia:
Mandatory
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common; checkpoints often used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Varies, can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
bolivia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
bolivia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
bolivia:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
bolivia:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bolivia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bolivia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Bolivia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; may result in points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines may apply, varies by location |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Fines apply and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
bolivia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
bolivia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly