Driving in Bangladesh vs. Myanmar: Key Differences
Welcome to our insightful comparison of driving practices in Bangladesh and Myanmar. While both nations prioritize road safety, they exhibit notable distinctions in lane usage, speed regulations, and traffic signals. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad, whether navigating bustling city streets or serene rural paths.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Marks the 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 Left | Yes | No, overtaking is on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed. | Allowed as this is the side of overtaking. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles. |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
myanmar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
myanmar:
Marks the edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
myanmar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bangladesh:
Yes
myanmar:
No, overtaking is on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
myanmar:
Allowed as this is the side of overtaking.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
myanmar:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
myanmar:
Usually reserved for buses, some allow taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
myanmar:
Labeled appropriately; road signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
myanmar:
Cyclists usually share the road with vehicles.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70 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
myanmar:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
myanmar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
myanmar:
50 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
myanmar:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
myanmar:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
myanmar:
70 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
myanmar:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
myanmar:
Yes
Signals
| Bangladesh | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Myanmar |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Burmese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
myanmar:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
myanmar:
Not used in Myanmar
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
myanmar:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
myanmar:
Burmese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
myanmar:
Triangular or rectangular with red or yellow backgrounds
Turns
| Bangladesh | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Prohibited unless permitted by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Prohibited unless permitted by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
myanmar:
Prohibited unless permitted by signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| 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
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
myanmar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
myanmar:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
myanmar:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
myanmar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, more common in cities |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
myanmar:
Moderate use, more common in cities
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
myanmar:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.07% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Less common; often during festivals |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can lead to arrest and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
myanmar:
0.07%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
myanmar:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
myanmar:
Less common; often during festivals
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
myanmar:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bangladesh:
Can result in license suspension
myanmar:
Can lead to arrest and fines
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
myanmar:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 199 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available through some insurance providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
myanmar:
199
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
myanmar:
Available through some insurance providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
myanmar:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
myanmar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Myanmar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; small fines for minor overshoots |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Fine enforced; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines for usage while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Fines applied for violations |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Possible; else must be paid at office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
myanmar:
Varies; small fines for minor overshoots
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
myanmar:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
myanmar:
Fine enforced; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
myanmar:
Fines for usage while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
myanmar:
Fines applied for violations
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
myanmar:
Possible; else must be paid at office
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
myanmar:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay