Driving Differences: Bangladesh vs. Brunei Explained
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. This comparison between Bangladesh and Brunei reveals significant contrasts in lane markings, speed limits, and traffic signals. Travelers should note the stricter enforcement of rules in Brunei and the varied driving customs in Bangladesh to navigate safely in both countries.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Marks the right 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 right. |
| 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.
brunei:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
brunei:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
brunei:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
brunei:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
brunei:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
brunei:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
brunei:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
brunei:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
brunei:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
brunei:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| 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
brunei:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
brunei:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
brunei:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
brunei:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
brunei:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
brunei:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
brunei:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
brunei:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
brunei:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
brunei:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
brunei:
Yes
Signals
| Bangladesh | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Brunei |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Malay; English used for important signs |
| 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
brunei:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
brunei:
Not used in Brunei
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
brunei:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
brunei:
Malay; English used for important signs
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
brunei:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bangladesh | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
brunei:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
brunei:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Annually required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not used |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
brunei:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
brunei:
Annually required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
brunei:
Not used
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
brunei:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
brunei:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
brunei:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
brunei:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
brunei:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
brunei:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 991 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 993 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
brunei:
991
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
brunei:
993
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
brunei:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Brunei | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; B$50 to B$500, 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 | B$150 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | B$300 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | B$250 |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
brunei:
Varies; B$50 to B$500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
brunei:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
brunei:
B$150
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
brunei:
B$300
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
brunei:
B$250
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
brunei:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
brunei:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay