Driving in Bangladesh vs North Macedonia: Key Differences
When venturing into the roads of Bangladesh and North Macedonia, understanding the nuances of their traffic regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include driving on the left in Bangladesh versus the right in North Macedonia, varying speed limits, and unique road etiquette. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can significantly enhance your travel experience and ensure your well-being on unfamiliar streets.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 typically allowed in North Macedonia. |
| 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' or 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 marked paths. |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
north macedonia:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
north macedonia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
north macedonia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
north macedonia:
Not typically allowed in North Macedonia.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
north macedonia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
north macedonia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
north macedonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
north macedonia:
Labeled 'BUS' or with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
north macedonia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
north macedonia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
north macedonia:
Bicycle symbols and marked paths.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 70 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 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
north macedonia:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
north macedonia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
north macedonia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
north macedonia:
80 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
north macedonia:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
north macedonia:
Yes
Signals
| Bangladesh | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bangladesh | Prepare to go |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Prohibited in urban areas at night |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to signal other messages |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Macedonian; standard symbols |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
north macedonia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
north macedonia:
Prepare to go
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
north macedonia:
Prohibited in urban areas at night
Headlight Flash: Usage
bangladesh:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
north macedonia:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bangladesh:
Not to be used to signal other messages
north macedonia:
Not to signal other messages
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
north macedonia:
Macedonian; standard symbols
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
north macedonia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bangladesh | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Prohibited unless specified by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Allowed when not prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
north macedonia:
Prohibited unless specified by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
north macedonia:
Allowed when not prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
north macedonia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
north macedonia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
north macedonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bangladesh:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
north macedonia:
Common practice
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
north macedonia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
north macedonia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Conducted at checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
north macedonia:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
north macedonia:
Conducted at checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
north macedonia:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
north macedonia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact local service providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
north macedonia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
north macedonia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
north macedonia:
Contact local service providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
north macedonia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | North macedonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, 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 | 50 EUR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | 40 EUR |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | 250 EUR, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically within 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
north macedonia:
Varies; 30 to 300 EUR, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
north macedonia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
north macedonia:
50 EUR
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
north macedonia:
40 EUR
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
north macedonia:
250 EUR, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
north macedonia:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
north macedonia:
Varies; typically within 15 days to pay