Driving Differences: Bangladesh vs. Malaysia Explained
When comparing the road regulations and driving customs of Bangladesh and Malaysia, notable distinctions emerge. From lane markings and speed limits to rules about overtaking, each country presents unique challenges for motorists. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience while navigating in unfamiliar territories.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions. |
| 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 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| 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 'BAS' or '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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
malaysia:
Marks the division between lanes of opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
malaysia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bangladesh:
Yes
malaysia:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
malaysia:
Yes
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bangladesh:
List length: 5
malaysia:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
malaysia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
malaysia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
malaysia:
Labeled 'BAS' or 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
malaysia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
malaysia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
malaysia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-90 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
malaysia:
30-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
malaysia:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
malaysia:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
malaysia:
80-90 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
malaysia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
malaysia:
Yes
Signals
| Bangladesh | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Malaysia |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Malay and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
malaysia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
malaysia:
Not used in Malaysia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
malaysia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
malaysia:
Malay and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
malaysia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bangladesh | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
malaysia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
malaysia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Required yearly for roadworthiness |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
malaysia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
malaysia:
Required yearly for roadworthiness
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
malaysia:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
malaysia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
malaysia:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used nationwide |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Substantial fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
malaysia:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
malaysia:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
malaysia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
malaysia:
Common; checkpoints used nationwide
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
malaysia:
Substantial fines
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
malaysia:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
malaysia:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
malaysia:
Check with your insurance provider or Motoring Services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malaysia:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
malaysia:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; RM150 and above |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | RM300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Varies; fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
malaysia:
Varies; RM150 and above
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
malaysia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
malaysia:
RM300, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
malaysia:
Varies; fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
malaysia:
Yes; can also be paid online or at local stations
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
malaysia:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay