Driving in Bangladesh vs. Netherlands: A Safety Guide
Discover the vital contrasts in road regulations and driving practices between Bangladesh and the Netherlands. From the distinct traffic flow—left in Bangladesh versus right in the Netherlands—to varied speed limits and signaling rules, understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe journey abroad. Equip yourself with this knowledge to navigate unfamiliar terrains confidently.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe. | Not typically used; centerlines are usually white. |
| 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', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; 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 often distinct red coloring. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
netherlands:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
netherlands:
Not commonly used in the Netherlands, replaced by solid white lines on the road edges.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
netherlands:
Not typically used; centerlines are usually white.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
netherlands:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
netherlands:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
netherlands:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
netherlands:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
netherlands:
Labeled 'BUS', 'LIJNBUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
netherlands:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
netherlands:
Bicycle symbols and often distinct red coloring.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 50 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 | 100-130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 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 | Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
netherlands:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
netherlands:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
netherlands:
100-130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
netherlands:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
netherlands:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
netherlands:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
netherlands:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
netherlands:
Yes, but fines are often mailed after citation
Signals
| Bangladesh | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Netherlands |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Dutch; 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
netherlands:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
netherlands:
Not used in Netherlands
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
netherlands:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
netherlands:
Dutch; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
netherlands:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bangladesh | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Not allowed unless a green arrow is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
netherlands:
Not allowed unless a green arrow is present
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
netherlands:
Usually prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Periodic technical inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | No sticker used; information in vehicle registration |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not necessary
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
netherlands:
Accepted for up to 185 days if accompanied by an International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
netherlands:
Periodic technical inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
netherlands:
No sticker used; information in vehicle registration
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
netherlands:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
netherlands:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
netherlands:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
netherlands:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
netherlands:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
netherlands:
Can be substantial, and may lead to license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | No signal required unless exiting immediately |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
bangladesh:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
netherlands:
No signal required unless exiting immediately
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
netherlands:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ANWB |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
netherlands:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
netherlands:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
netherlands:
Check with your insurance provider or ANWB
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
netherlands:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Netherlands | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; can be significant, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; payment within specified period required |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
netherlands:
Varies; can be significant, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
netherlands:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
netherlands:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
netherlands:
Possible; fines also typically paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
netherlands:
Varies; payment within specified period required