Driving in Bangladesh vs. Pakistan: Key Differences Explained
When comparing the road regulations of Bangladesh and Pakistan, notable distinctions emerge that impact travelers. Key differences include lane markings and speed limits, with Bangladesh allowing left overtaking, while Pakistan prohibits it. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable driving experience in either country.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed. |
| 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 | Prohibited |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed. | Yes, allowed on open roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | Primarily in some urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols on road. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
pakistan:
Dividing line for different directions; overtaking not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
pakistan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bangladesh:
Yes
pakistan:
Prohibited
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
pakistan:
Yes, allowed on open roads.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
pakistan:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
pakistan:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
pakistan:
Primarily in some urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
pakistan:
Bicycle symbols on road.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes; fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
pakistan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
pakistan:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
pakistan:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
pakistan:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
pakistan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
pakistan:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
pakistan:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
pakistan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Bangladesh | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used in some rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | English and Urdu; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Standard warning signs used |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
pakistan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
pakistan:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
pakistan:
Unnecessary use discouraged in residential areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bangladesh:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
pakistan:
Used in some rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
pakistan:
English and Urdu; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
pakistan:
Standard warning signs used
Turns
| Bangladesh | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
pakistan:
Prohibited unless a sign explicitly allows
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
pakistan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Varies by province; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Usually not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Not mandatory but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
pakistan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
pakistan:
Varies by province; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
pakistan:
Usually not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
pakistan:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Commonly used in urban areas |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
bangladesh:
Only in emergency situations
pakistan:
Commonly used in urban areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
pakistan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in fines and legal action |
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
pakistan:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
pakistan:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bangladesh:
Can result in license suspension
pakistan:
Can result in fines and legal action
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
pakistan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics) |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 15 for assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
pakistan:
115 (Rescue 1122 for paramedics)
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
pakistan:
15 for assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
pakistan:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Pakistan
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
pakistan:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Strict penalties, including imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Fine if not worn where mandatory |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Yes; fines can be paid on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
pakistan:
Varies; possible impoundment of vehicle
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
pakistan:
Strict penalties, including imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
pakistan:
Fine if not worn where mandatory
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
pakistan:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
pakistan:
Fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
pakistan:
Yes; fines can be paid on the spot
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
pakistan:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay