Driving in Bangladesh vs. Singapore: Key Differences
When traveling from Bangladesh to Singapore, understanding the distinct regulations and practices on the road is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Key differences include speed limits, lane markings, and the presence of dedicated cycling paths. This comparison illuminates how driving etiquette and enforcement vary significantly between these two nations, promoting safer navigation abroad.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Marks the right 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. | Not allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
singapore:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
singapore:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
singapore:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
singapore:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
singapore:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
singapore:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 70-90 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 | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-90 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
singapore:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
singapore:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bangladesh | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Singapore |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | 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
singapore:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
singapore:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bangladesh | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Display not required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
singapore:
Display not required
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bangladesh:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
singapore:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
bangladesh:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
singapore:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
singapore:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay