Driving in Bangladesh vs. South Africa: Key Differences
Explore the unique driving cultures of Bangladesh and South Africa with our comprehensive comparison. From speed limits and lane markings to the nuances of traffic regulations, discover vital distinctions that can impact your road experience. Stay informed to ensure a safe journey as you navigate the roads of these diverse nations.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
| 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bangladesh:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
south africa:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
south africa:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
south africa:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
south africa:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major areas | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
south africa:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Bangladesh | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 South Africa |
| 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 | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
south africa:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
south africa:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Bangladesh | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Bangladesh | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not applicable |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
south africa:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bangladesh:
Frequent use compared to some countries
south africa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
south africa:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
bangladesh:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south africa:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay