Driving in Bangladesh vs. Brazil: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Bangladesh and Brazil, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experience. This comparison highlights critical contrasts, from driving sides and lane usage to speed limits and traffic signals. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
brazil:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
brazil:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
brazil:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bangladesh:
Yes
brazil:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
brazil:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
brazil:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
brazil:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
brazil:
Reserved exclusively for buses; sometimes bicycles are allowed.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
brazil:
Labeled 'ÔNIBUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
brazil:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
brazil:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
brazil:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 60-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 60-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 60-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
brazil:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
brazil:
60-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
brazil:
60-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
brazil:
60-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
brazil:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
brazil:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
brazil:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
brazil:
Yes
Signals
| Bangladesh | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Brazil |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Portuguese; 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
brazil:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
brazil:
Not used in Brazil
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
brazil:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
brazil:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
brazil:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bangladesh | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Allowed unless a sign prohibits it |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
brazil:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
brazil:
Allowed unless a sign prohibits it
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Required every year for passenger vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield or license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
brazil:
International Driving Permit recommended, national licenses accepted for up to 180 days
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
brazil:
Required every year for passenger vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
brazil:
Displayed on windshield or license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
brazil:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
brazil:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
brazil:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
brazil:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in immediate license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
brazil:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
brazil:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
brazil:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
brazil:
Substantial for any offense; applies strict zero-tolerance policy
Test Refusal
bangladesh:
Can result in license suspension
brazil:
Results in immediate license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
brazil:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 190 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 191 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended, especially at night |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
brazil:
190
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
brazil:
191
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
brazil:
Check with your insurance provider or recommended local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
brazil:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
brazil:
Recommended, especially at night
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Brazil | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | High fines with potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Fines for all unrestrained passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines and points on license |
| 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 | Commonly used; E-ticket systems available |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; generally 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
brazil:
Varies; can be substantial, often over R$100
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
brazil:
High fines with potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
brazil:
Fines for all unrestrained passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
brazil:
Fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
brazil:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
brazil:
Commonly used; E-ticket systems available
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
brazil:
Varies; generally 30 days to pay