Driving in Bangladesh vs India: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Bangladesh and India, drivers encounter notable contrasts that can impact their travel experience. From lane markings to speed regulations, each country has its unique protocols. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a smooth and secure journey while abroad.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | India | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, but only when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Yes, in some metropolitan areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, in some areas |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
india:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bangladesh:
Yes
india:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
india:
Yes, in some areas
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
india:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
india:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 60-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | Yes, in major cities and highways |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
india:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
india:
60-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
india:
80-120 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
india:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Bangladesh | India | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 India |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | More common due to varied vehicle conditions |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | English and local languages; 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
india:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
india:
Not used in India
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bangladesh:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
india:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Bangladesh | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
Left Turn: General
bangladesh:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | PUC sticker displayed on windshield |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass |
Use Of Horn: Limited
bangladesh:
Only in emergency situations
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
Pedestrians Priority
bangladesh:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Varies by state; fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
india:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
bangladesh:
Can result in license suspension
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
bangladesh:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
india:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, 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 | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
india:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay