Bangladesh (BD)
Bangladesh is a densely populated delta nation in South Asia, bordered by India and Myanmar, with the Bay of Bengal to the south.
Driving in Bangladesh
Licence exchange, road rules, fines, buying a car, and cycling.
Driving in Bangladesh is governed by the Road Transport Act, 2018 (Act No. XLVII of 2018), administered by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA). Traffic in Dhaka is among the most congested in South Asia; most expats employ a driver rather than self-driving. Bangladesh drives on the left. Motorcycles dominate two-lane roads; lane discipline is informal. Bangladesh has no demerit-points system — penalties are fines or imprisonment per the 2018 Act.
Driving Licence Exchange
Bangladesh has no automatic mutual-recognition or exchange agreements with any country. Short-term visitors may drive on a valid foreign licence accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP). Long-term residents must apply through BRTA for a Bangladesh driving licence. EU membership confers no advantage.
USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, Japan, UAE, Germany, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Singapore, South Korea
Carry your valid home-country licence together with a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) and your passport with current entry stamp. An IDP is recognised for short-term stays (tourist/business visitor) and is accepted by police and insurers for visits typically up to 90 days. Obtain the IDP from your home country's motoring authority before travel.
Police and insurers may interpret rules strictly after accidents. Do not rely on IDP alone without the matching original licence. Once resident, apply for a Bangladesh licence through BRTA — the IDP is not a substitute for a long-term licence.
All long-term residents must apply to BRTA for a Bangladesh driving licence. Process: (1) Obtain a medical fitness certificate from a registered physician. (2) Complete BRTA application form and submit with your foreign licence, IDP, passport, visa/work-permit, two recent photographs and BRTA fees. (3) Attend a theory examination (written test in Bangla/English). (4) Practical driving test. (5) BRTA issues a smart-card Bangladesh driving licence. The process typically takes 30–40 days. Apply at the BRTA office for your district.
Some nationalities may be required to provide an authenticated/apostilled copy of their home licence. Use only official channels; fraudulent licence agents operate widely. Keep your foreign licence after exchange as BRTA retains a copy but may return the original.
Road Rules
Urban areas (city corporations, municipalities, district towns): 40 km/h for cars and buses; 30 km/h for motorcycles and trucks. District roads: 60 km/h for cars/buses, 50 km/h for motorcycles. Regional and national highways (Category B): 70 km/h for cars/buses, 50 km/h for motorcycles. Expressways and national highways (Category A): 80 km/h for cars/buses, 60 km/h for motorcycles. Upazila/rural roads: 40 km/h maximum. Penalty for speeding: Tk 10,000 fine or 3 months imprisonment, or both.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics carries a fine of Tk 10,000–35,000 or up to 3 months in jail, or both (Road Transport Act 2018, s. 56). Bangladesh is a predominantly Muslim country where alcohol is largely prohibited for citizens; licensed establishments serve non-Muslim foreigners. Zero-tolerance is effectively the practical standard; foreign residents should treat the limit as 0.0% BAC while driving.
Using a handheld mobile phone while driving is an offence under the Road Transport Act 2018: fine of Tk 5,000 or up to 1 month in jail, or both. Hands-free is permitted but enforcement is sporadic.
Seat belts are mandatory for the driver and front-seat passenger. Fine for non-compliance: Tk 5,000. Rear seatbelt use is not universally enforced but strongly recommended.
No specific mandatory child-seat legislation is in force for private cars in 2026, but the general duty of care under the Road Transport Act applies. Bring your own ECE-certified child seat; taxis and ride-share vehicles rarely provide them. Infants and young children must not travel unrestrained.
Traffic Fines (Bußgeldkatalog)
Fines and penalties are set by the Road Transport Act, 2018. Bangladesh has no demerit-points system; violations attract fines or imprisonment, or both. Traffic courts and police have discretion in enforcement. Foreign drivers are subject to the same penalties; after a serious accident, police, compensation and immigration consequences can be severe.
| Offence | Fine | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Driving without a valid licence | Tk 25,000 or 6 months imprisonment, or both | — |
| Driving without registration/number plate | Tk 50,000 or 6 months imprisonment, or both | — |
| Driving uninsured | Tk 25,000 or vehicle seizure | — |
| Speeding (exceeding posted limit) | Tk 10,000 or 3 months imprisonment, or both | — |
| Driving under influence of alcohol or narcotics | Tk 10,000–35,000 or 3 months imprisonment, or both | — |
| Using handheld mobile phone while driving | Tk 5,000 or 1 month imprisonment, or both | — |
| Not wearing seatbelt (driver or front passenger) | Tk 5,000 | — |
| Motorcyclist not wearing helmet | Tk 5,000 | — |
| Driving on wrong side of road (against traffic) | Tk 10,000 or 3 months imprisonment, or both | — |
| Reckless or dangerous driving causing injury | Tk 25,000–5,00,000 or up to 5 years imprisonment, or both (severity-dependent) | — |
| Overloading passengers or cargo beyond permitted capacity | Tk 10,000 or 3 months imprisonment, or both | — |
Buying a Car
Car ownership in Bangladesh is expensive due to high import duties, registration fees and running costs. Most private cars are reconditioned Japanese imports. The used-car market operates primarily through online platforms and dealer showrooms. Consumer protection is limited; independent inspection is strongly recommended for private purchases.
- 1.Search listings on Bikroy.com (largest online marketplace) or visit dealer showrooms in Dhaka's Pragati Sarani and Motijheel car markets.
- 2.Verify the seller is the registered owner: check the Registration Certificate (RC) and confirm the engine/chassis number matches the vehicle.
- 3.Request the vehicle's fitness certificate, tax token (road tax receipt) and full BRTA ownership history.
- 4.Commission an independent mechanic inspection before purchase.
- 5.Agree on price. Prepare a written sales agreement (bikroy chukti); templates are available from legal stationery shops.
- 6.Pay via bank transfer (recommended for amounts above Tk 50,000) or cash against signed receipt.
- 7.Obtain the Registration Certificate from the seller.
- 8.Within 30 days: transfer ownership through BRTA by submitting the sales agreement, both parties' IDs, RC, fitness certificate and tax token, plus BRTA transfer fees.
- 9.Renew the BRTA fitness certificate if the current one is near expiry before driving.
- •BRTA Registration Certificate — verify vehicle is not stolen and the seller is the registered owner.
- •Tax token (road tax) — must be current; renewed annually at BRTA.
- •Fitness Certificate (BRTA) — must be valid; check expiry disc on windscreen.
- •Valid third-party motor insurance — mandatory before driving on public roads.
- •Engine and chassis number: physically verify against RC and fitness certificate.
Budget for: purchase price (reconditioned Japanese cars typically BDT 8–30 lakh+), BRTA ownership transfer fee (~BDT 1,000–5,000), new number plates if required (~BDT 500–2,000), fitness certificate renewal (~BDT 1,525 for private car: fitness BDT 1,000 + inspection BDT 300 + VAT ~BDT 225), third-party insurance (~BDT 2,000–10,000/year), annual tax token (varies by vehicle type/cc), and ongoing fuel, maintenance and driver salary if applicable.
Registration, Insurance & Tax
All vehicles must be registered with BRTA before being driven on public roads. New vehicle registration requires the manufacturer's invoice or import documents, customs clearance, roadworthiness inspection, valid owner ID and address proof. On ownership transfer: BRTA application, current RC, sales agreement, fitness certificate, tax token and both parties' IDs. BRTA has offices in all districts; Dhaka offices handle most expat cases. Processing typically takes 1–4 weeks.
Third-party motor insurance is legally mandatory under the Road Transport Act 2018 before any vehicle is driven on a public road. Minimum cover: third-party liability for bodily injury and property damage. Comprehensive insurance is strongly recommended. Available from Sadharan Bima Corporation (state insurer) and private insurers including Green Delta, Pragati, Pioneer and Reliance Insurance. Annual premiums for private cars: approximately BDT 2,000–15,000 depending on vehicle value and cover level.
Annual road tax (Tax Token) is collected by BRTA and must be renewed each year. The fee is based on vehicle type, engine displacement (cc) and age. Example: a 1,500 cc petrol car pays approximately BDT 3,000–8,000/year. The tax token disc must be displayed on the windscreen. Non-renewal attracts a late fee.
All vehicles must hold a valid BRTA Fitness Certificate (Fitness Shanad). Annual renewal is required for most private vehicles (2-year cycle for new vehicles in their first period). Inspection is conducted by BRTA inspectors at designated BRTA offices. Fees (2026): fitness fee BDT 1,000 + inspection fee BDT 300 + VAT ~BDT 225 = approximately BDT 1,525 for a private car. The fitness disc is displayed on the windscreen. Driving with an expired fitness certificate risks a fine and vehicle seizure. Commercial vehicles face stricter and more frequent requirements.
Cycling
Cycling on Dhaka's main roads is hazardous due to chaotic traffic, potholes and absence of dedicated cycle lanes. Smaller towns and some residential areas offer safer conditions. A growing recreational cycling community uses early-morning sessions on major roads before peak traffic. Rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws dominate slow streets in most cities.
- •No mandatory helmet law for cyclists in Bangladesh, but wearing a helmet is strongly recommended — head injuries are common in traffic.
- •Lights (front white, rear red) are recommended at night; police may stop cyclists without lights under general road-safety provisions.
- •A bell is required on all non-motorised vehicles.
- •Cycling on major expressways, bridges and flyovers is prohibited.
- •Cyclists must keep to the left side of the road.
- •Using a mobile phone while cycling is unsafe and may be treated as a traffic offence.
- •Cycling under the influence of alcohol or narcotics may be subject to Road Transport Act penalties.
- •Ride early morning (5–7 am) when traffic is lightest; avoid rush hours on main roads entirely.
- •Use residential streets and designated recreational paths — Hatirjheel promenade and Gulshan lake area are popular safe routes in Dhaka.
- •Join a cycling group (Dhaka Cyclists community) for safety, route knowledge and advocacy contacts.
- •Use a quality D-lock through the frame and wheel; bicycle theft is common in cities.
- •Note your frame number and register informally with building security.
- •Bring high-visibility clothing, good lights and a quality helmet from home — options are limited locally.