Driving in Bangladesh vs. Portugal: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Bangladesh and Portugal presents distinct challenges and regulations that are crucial for ensuring road safety. Key disparities include driving sides, speed limits, and lane usage. Understanding these variations helps travelers navigate their journeys with confidence and caution, making informed choices that enhance their overall experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Prohibited. |
| 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 taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; 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: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
portugal:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
portugal:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
portugal:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
portugal:
Prohibited.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
portugal:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
portugal:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
portugal:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
portugal:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
portugal:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
portugal:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
portugal:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
portugal:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 90 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 | 90 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 | Possible |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
portugal:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
portugal:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
portugal:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
portugal:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
portugal:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
portugal:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
portugal:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
portugal:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
portugal:
Possible
Signals
| Bangladesh | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Portugal |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Portuguese; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
portugal:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
portugal:
Not used in Portugal
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
portugal:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
portugal:
Portuguese; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
portugal:
Triangular-shaped with white background and red border
Turns
| Bangladesh | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
portugal:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
portugal:
Allowed at intersections unless signs prohibit
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no additional permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Periodic inspections required; proof may be 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
portugal:
Accepted; no additional permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
portugal:
International Driving Permit recommended; national license accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
portugal:
Periodic inspections required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
portugal:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
portugal:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
portugal:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
portugal:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
portugal:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
portugal:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
portugal:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
portugal:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
portugal:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | Contact local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or ACP |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
portugal:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
portugal:
Contact local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
portugal:
Check with your insurance provider or ACP
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
portugal:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Portugal | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; €60 to €2,500, 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 | €120 to €600 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | €240 to €1,200 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | €120 to €600 |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
portugal:
Varies; €60 to €2,500, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
portugal:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
portugal:
€120 to €600
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
portugal:
€240 to €1,200
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
portugal:
€120 to €600
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
portugal:
Possible
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
portugal:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay