Driving in Bangladesh vs. United Arab Emirates: Key Differences
When it comes to navigating the roads of Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates, motorists will encounter distinct practices that influence their travel experience. From lane usage and speed regulations to rules on alcohol consumption, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Bangladesh | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on some roads. | Marks the left edge on some 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 multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 6 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in major cities | Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during peak hours. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Often marked with road signs. | Labeled and usually marked by road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks. |
| 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, in some areas |
| 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, often in major urban areas and highways. |
Driving Side
bangladesh:
Left
united arab emirates:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Marks the right edge on some roads.
united arab emirates:
Marks the left edge on some roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bangladesh:
Often used to indicate a centerline; passing permitted when safe.
united arab emirates:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bangladesh:
Generally not allowed.
united arab emirates:
Allowed on multilane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bangladesh:
List length: 5
united arab emirates:
List length: 6
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bangladesh:
Use leftmost lane.
united arab emirates:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
Yes, in major cities
united arab emirates:
Yes, in major cities like Abu Dhabi and Dubai
Bus Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
united arab emirates:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and motorcycles in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
Often marked with road signs.
united arab emirates:
Labeled and usually marked by road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, primarily in urban areas and parks.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bangladesh:
Bicycles generally use the edge of the road.
united arab emirates:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bangladesh:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bangladesh:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bangladesh:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits, often in major urban areas and highways.
Speeds Limits
| Bangladesh | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25-40 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 | 100-140 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 |
| 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 | Less common; fines can be issued electronically |
Urban Areas: Standard
bangladesh:
25-50 km/h
united arab emirates:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bangladesh:
30 km/h
united arab emirates:
25-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
50-70 km/h
united arab emirates:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bangladesh:
80-100 km/h
united arab emirates:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bangladesh:
60-80 km/h
united arab emirates:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bangladesh:
No
united arab emirates:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bangladesh:
N/A
united arab emirates:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bangladesh:
Yes, in major areas
united arab emirates:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bangladesh:
Yes, common practice
united arab emirates:
Less common; fines can be issued electronically
Signals
| Bangladesh | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 UAE |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged | Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bengali; symbols are standard | Arabic and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bangladesh:
Proceed with caution, yield to other vehicles
united arab emirates:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bangladesh:
Not used in Bangladesh
united arab emirates:
Not used in UAE
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bangladesh:
Unnecessary use discouraged
united arab emirates:
Unnecessary use discouraged; especially in residential areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bangladesh:
Bengali; symbols are standard
united arab emirates:
Arabic and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bangladesh:
Triangular-shaped with red border
united arab emirates:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Bangladesh | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not commonly permitted | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by area; check for signs | Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bangladesh:
Not commonly permitted
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bangladesh:
Varies by area; check for signs
united arab emirates:
Allowed unless specifically prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bangladesh | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annually, proof displayed on vehicle | Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bangladesh:
International Driving Permit recommended
united arab emirates:
Accepted with International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bangladesh:
Annually, proof displayed on vehicle
united arab emirates:
Annual inspection required for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bangladesh:
Displayed on windshield
united arab emirates:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bangladesh | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use, not excessively |
| 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
united arab emirates:
Moderate use, not excessively
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bangladesh:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
united arab emirates:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bangladesh | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.0% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in checkpoints | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial, varies by offense | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.0%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bangladesh:
0.00%
united arab emirates:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bangladesh:
Common in checkpoints
united arab emirates:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
bangladesh:
Substantial, varies by offense
united arab emirates:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bangladesh | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bangladesh:
Signal left when preparing to exit
united arab emirates:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bangladesh | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 9999 | 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact local police | Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bangladesh:
9999
united arab emirates:
999
Contact: Traffic Police
bangladesh:
Contact local police
united arab emirates:
Varies by emirate; often integrates with general emergency
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bangladesh:
Check with your insurance provider
united arab emirates:
Check with your insurance provider or organizations like AAA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bangladesh:
Not mandatory, but recommended
united arab emirates:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bangladesh | United arab emirates | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can include fines and points | Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable, varies by enforcement | AED 400, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, varies by enforcement | AED 800, 4 black points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies depending on the severity of the violation | AED 1000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | More common than in the USA | Not typical; fines usually notified electronically |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bangladesh:
Varies; can include fines and points
united arab emirates:
Varies; AED 300 to AED 3000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bangladesh:
Substantial fines, possible imprisonment
united arab emirates:
Severe penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bangladesh:
Fines applicable, varies by enforcement
united arab emirates:
AED 400, 4 black points
Common Fines: Phone Use
bangladesh:
Fines apply, varies by enforcement
united arab emirates:
AED 800, 4 black points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bangladesh:
Varies depending on the severity of the violation
united arab emirates:
AED 1000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bangladesh:
More common than in the USA
united arab emirates:
Not typical; fines usually notified electronically
Payment: Deadline
bangladesh:
Varies; typically immediate resolution preferred
united arab emirates:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay