Driving in Bangladesh vs France: Key Differences Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and driving customs between Bangladesh and France. This comparison highlights key variances, such as driving on opposite sides, differing speed limits, and unique traffic signals. By understanding these distinctions, travelers can enhance their vehicular safety and navigate with confidence in foreign territories.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe. | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed. | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. |
| 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 for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
france:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
france:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
france:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
france:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
france:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
france:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
france:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
france:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
france:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
france:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bangladesh | France | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 France |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
france:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
france:
Not used in France
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bangladesh:
Signal when exiting
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
france:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
france:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Bangladesh | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
france:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
france:
Accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
france:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
france:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
france:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering if turning right |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
bangladesh:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
france:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 17 or through local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
france:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
france:
17 or through local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
france:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
france:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | €135 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | €135 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | €135 |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically 45 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
france:
€135
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
france:
€135
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
france:
€135
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay