Driving in Bangladesh vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
When traversing the roads of Bangladesh and Norway, drivers encounter striking contrasts in regulations and practices. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol restrictions and emergency protocols, each country embodies its unique approach to vehicular safety. Familiarizing yourself with these critical distinctions is essential for a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| 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 'BUS ONLY'; 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
norway:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
norway:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
norway:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
norway:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
norway:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
norway:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
norway:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 30-50 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 | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
norway:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
norway:
Yes
Signals
| Bangladesh | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Norway |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
norway:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
norway:
Not used in Norway
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
norway:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Turns
| Bangladesh | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with a national driving license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | None |
| 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
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
norway:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
norway:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
norway:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
norway:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Yes, typically required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
norway:
Yes, typically required
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay