Driving Differences: Bangladesh vs. Taiwan Uncovered
When navigating the roads in Bangladesh and Taiwan, drivers encounter notable contrasts that influence their journey. From lane usage and speed regulations to traffic signals and penalties, each country presents unique guidelines. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring safety and confidence while driving in unfamiliar territories.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is 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; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Bicycles generally use the edge of the road. | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
taiwan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
taiwan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
taiwan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
taiwan:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
taiwan:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
taiwan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 90-100 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 | Yes, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
taiwan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Bangladesh | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Taiwan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Mandarin; 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
taiwan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
taiwan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bangladesh | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Bangladesh | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
taiwan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
| 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
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
taiwan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
bangladesh:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
taiwan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
taiwan:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay