Driving in Bangladesh vs. Spain: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Bangladesh and Spain, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their travel experience. Key differences include driving on opposite sides, contrasting speed limits, and the presence of specialized lanes. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring safety and compliance while exploring these diverse countries.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 unless on a one-way street. |
| 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' or 'TAXI'; 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
spain:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
spain:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-70 km/h | 70-80 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 | 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 | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
spain:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Bangladesh | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Spain |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
spain:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
spain:
Not used in Spain
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Bangladesh | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| 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
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| 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
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
bangladesh:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
spain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay