Driving in Bangladesh vs. Iceland: Key Safety Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in roadway regulations and driving practices between Bangladesh and Iceland. While Bangladesh drives on the left with diverse speed limits and cultural norms, Iceland adheres to right-hand driving with stringent safety measures. This comparison highlights essential distinctions in lane usage, signaling, and enforcement that are crucial for ensuring a secure experience on foreign roads.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| 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; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
iceland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
iceland:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
iceland:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
iceland:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bangladesh:
List length: 5
iceland:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
iceland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
iceland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
iceland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
iceland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
iceland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h on gravel roads |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h on paved roads |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 80 km/h on paved roads |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 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
iceland:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
iceland:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
iceland:
Yes
Signals
| Bangladesh | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | N/A |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Icelandic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
iceland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
iceland:
N/A
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bangladesh:
Signal when exiting
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
iceland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
bangladesh:
Fines may apply for misuse
iceland:
N/A
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bangladesh:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Bangladesh | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
iceland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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 |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
iceland:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
iceland:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
iceland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
iceland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
iceland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
iceland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
iceland:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Test Refusal
bangladesh:
Can result in license suspension
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
bangladesh:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact local towing services or insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
iceland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
iceland:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| 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 | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
iceland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
iceland:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame