Driving in Bangladesh vs. Kuwait: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Bangladesh and Kuwait, understanding the distinct driving regulations and cultural norms is essential for safe travels. Key differences include driving on the left in Bangladesh versus the right in Kuwait, varying speed limits, and unique traffic signal practices. Equip yourself with this knowledge to ensure a secure and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Not commonly practiced. |
| 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. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
kuwait:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
kuwait:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
kuwait:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
kuwait:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
kuwait:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
kuwait:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 45-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 45 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 70-90 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 | 80-90 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 | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
kuwait:
45 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
kuwait:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
kuwait:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
kuwait:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
kuwait:
Yes
Signals
| Bangladesh | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
kuwait:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
kuwait:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
kuwait:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
Turns
| Bangladesh | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Prohibited unless signs allow |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
kuwait:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
kuwait:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Significant fines and legal consequences |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving |
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
kuwait:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bangladesh:
Possible for severe offenses
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
kuwait:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 112 |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
kuwait:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
kuwait:
112
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; may include points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Very severe penalties for any alcohol |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines applicable |
| 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 | Yes, possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
kuwait:
Yes, possible
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days