Driving in Bangladesh vs. Cambodia: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Bangladesh and Cambodia, understanding their unique traffic regulations is crucial for ensuring safe journeys. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides, with Bangladesh favoring the left and Cambodia the right. Additionally, speed limits and road markings vary significantly, impacting your overall driving experience in these vibrant nations.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
cambodia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
cambodia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
cambodia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
cambodia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
cambodia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
cambodia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
cambodia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
cambodia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
cambodia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
cambodia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
cambodia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
cambodia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
cambodia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 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
cambodia:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
cambodia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
cambodia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
cambodia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
cambodia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
cambodia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
cambodia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
cambodia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
cambodia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
cambodia:
Yes
Signals
| Bangladesh | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | N/A |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Khmer and 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
cambodia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
cambodia:
N/A
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
cambodia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
cambodia:
Khmer and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
cambodia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bangladesh | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Varies, check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
cambodia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
cambodia:
Varies, check for signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
cambodia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
cambodia:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
cambodia:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use as means of communication |
| 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
cambodia:
Frequent use as means of communication
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
cambodia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Strict and substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
cambodia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
cambodia:
0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
cambodia:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
cambodia:
Strict and substantial
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
cambodia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 117 |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
cambodia:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
cambodia:
117
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; fines are substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Varies; penalties applied |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Varies; penalties applied |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Yes, on the spot payment |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically within a specified period |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
cambodia:
Varies; fines are substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
cambodia:
Yes, on the spot payment
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
cambodia:
Varies; typically within a specified period