Driving in Bangladesh vs. South Korea: Key Differences
When exploring the contrasting road regulations between Bangladesh and South Korea, drivers must navigate significant variances in lane usage, speed limits, and traffic signals. While Bangladesh emphasizes left-side travel and lower urban speed restrictions, South Korea prioritizes right-side driving and higher limits. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| 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 on multi-lane roads |
| 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 during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| 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 sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
south korea:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
south korea:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
south korea:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
south korea:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
south korea:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
south korea:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100-110 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 |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
south korea:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
south korea:
Yes
Signals
| Bangladesh | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Korea |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
south korea:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
south korea:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Bangladesh | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bangladesh | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
south korea:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
south korea:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
south korea:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
south korea:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bangladesh:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
south korea:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
south korea:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
south korea:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
south korea:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
south korea:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay