Driving in Bangladesh vs. Maldives: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the unique driving landscapes of Bangladesh and the Maldives, distinct variations in road regulations and safety practices emerge. Notable disparities include overtaking rules and speed limits, which can significantly impact your experience. Understanding these nuances ensures a safer journey as you navigate through each country’s diverse terrains.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe. | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed. | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | May be designated with road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Minimal |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
Overtaking: On Left
bangladesh:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
maldives:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Bangladesh | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
maldives:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
bangladesh:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
maldives:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Bangladesh | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
bangladesh:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually displayed on the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| 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 |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bangladesh:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
maldives:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Fines can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Appropriate lanes as per signage |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Appropriate lanes as per signage |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
maldives:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
bangladesh:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
bangladesh:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | Contact local police for traffic issues |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines for use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Possible for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time