Driving Differences: Bangladesh vs. Qatar Explained
When navigating the roads of Bangladesh and Qatar, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their safety and experience. Key differences include driving on the left in Bangladesh versus the right in Qatar, as well as varied speed limits and road etiquette. Understanding these contrasts is essential for a secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left. |
| 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 authorized vehicles. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
qatar:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
qatar:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
qatar:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
qatar:
Allowed only in designated situations, like when vehicles ahead are turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
qatar:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
qatar:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
qatar:
Reserved for buses and authorized vehicles.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
qatar:
Labeled with appropriate road signs or pavement markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
qatar:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
qatar:
Shared with vehicles, as dedicated lanes are rare.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
qatar:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
qatar:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 80 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 |
| 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
qatar:
60-80 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
qatar:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
qatar:
100-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
qatar:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
qatar:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
qatar:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
qatar:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
qatar:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
qatar:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
qatar:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
qatar:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
qatar:
Yes
Signals
| Bangladesh | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Qatar |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
qatar:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
qatar:
Not used in Qatar
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
qatar:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
qatar:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
qatar:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bangladesh | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
qatar:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
qatar:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
qatar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
qatar:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
qatar:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
qatar:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
qatar:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
qatar:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Can be substantial; penalties are severe |
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
qatar:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
qatar:
Can be substantial; penalties are severe
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
qatar:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 999 or local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or contact private services |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
qatar:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
qatar:
999 or local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
qatar:
Check with your insurance provider or contact private services
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Qatar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; can be substantial, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Minimum 500 QR |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Minimum 500 QR, point system applies |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Yes, or online payment options |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
qatar:
Varies; can be substantial, point system applies
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
qatar:
Severe penalties; fines and imprisonment possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
qatar:
Minimum 500 QR, point system applies
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
qatar:
Minimum 6000 QR, point system applies
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
qatar:
Yes, or online payment options
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
qatar:
Payments should be timely to avoid additional penalties