Driving in Bangladesh vs. Italy: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the contrasts in road regulations between Bangladesh and Italy reveals fascinating insights into their driving cultures. Key distinctions include lane usage, speed limits, and signage, highlighting Bangladesh's left-side driving versus Italy's right. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey when navigating foreign territories.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe. | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. |
| 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 | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
italy:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
italy:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
italy:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
italy:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
italy:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
italy:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
italy:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
italy:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 50 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 | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
italy:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
italy:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
italy:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
italy:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
italy:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
italy:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bangladesh | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Used; prepare to go when green appears |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Italian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
italy:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
italy:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Bangladesh | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
italy:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
italy:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
italy:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
italy:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
italy:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
italy:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
italy:
Substantial
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
italy:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 113 (State Police) |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 116 (ACI) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
italy:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
italy:
113 (State Police)
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
italy:
116 (ACI)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
italy:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
italy:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Varies; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines apply, strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Fines apply, may include points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Possible, especially for foreign drivers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
italy:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
italy:
Varies; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days