Driving in Bangladesh vs. Philippines: Key Differences
Welcome to our insightful comparison of road regulations in Bangladesh and the Philippines. Discover vital distinctions in lane usage, speed limits, and traffic signals that can significantly impact your travel experience. By understanding these nuances, you can enhance your driving safety and enjoy a smooth journey in either country.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. |
| 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 PUVs. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | Shared with motorcycles or 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 occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
philippines:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
philippines:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
philippines:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
philippines:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
philippines:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
philippines:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
philippines:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
philippines:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 40 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 50 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
bangladesh:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
philippines:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
| Bangladesh | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
philippines:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
philippines:
Not used
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
philippines:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Bangladesh | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
bangladesh:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
philippines:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users |
| 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
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
philippines:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
philippines:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
philippines:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
philippines:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | PHP 300 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | PHP 1000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
philippines:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance