Driving in Bangladesh vs. Ireland: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Bangladesh and Ireland presents distinct challenges and regulations that every traveler should be aware of. Key differences include lane markings, speed limits, and the use of emergency vehicles. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe and smooth journey in each country.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe. | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No, overtake on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed. | Yes, standard overtaking side. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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. |
| 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.
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bangladesh:
Yes
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
ireland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
ireland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
ireland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 120 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
ireland:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
ireland:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
ireland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
ireland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
ireland:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
ireland:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
Signals
| Bangladesh | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Indicates the light is about to turn green. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangles with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bangladesh:
Signal when exiting
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
Turns
| Bangladesh | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
ireland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
ireland:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Random breath testing is common. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
ireland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
ireland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
ireland:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Required |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
ireland:
Required
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; €80 to €120, and 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 | €60 fine and two penalty points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | €60 fine and three penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | €80 and three penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
ireland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay