Can an Indian Driver Drive in Bangladesh? — Yes, and No Side Switch

If you hold an Indian licence and are heading to Bangladesh, the good news is that the road itself will feel familiar — and the paperwork is straightforward. Driving in Bangladesh is less about relearning the rules and more about respecting a couple of strict limits.

The verdict for Indian licence holders

You can drive in Bangladesh on your Indian licence. The single most welcome fact is that both countries drive on the left, so there is no side switch — no relearning roundabouts, no wrong-way reflex at junctions. Carry an International Driving Permit alongside your Indian licence and passport anyway; it is a recognised translation that smooths things at a rental counter or a roadside check, and you must arrange it in India before you fly.

The zero-alcohol rule is the real catch

Where India allows a small 0.03 margin, Bangladesh runs a 0.0 BAC limit — zero tolerance. There is no “one drink” allowance, so simply don’t drink before driving. This is the rule most likely to trip up a visitor who assumes the Indian threshold carries over; it does not.

Posted speeds are unusually low

The documented limits are low even by Indian standards: around 25 km/h in towns and 35 km/h on rural roads, reflecting congested, mixed-traffic conditions rather than open highway. Treat these as a sign of how busy the roads are — rickshaws, pedestrians and slow vehicles share the lane — and drive to what you can see, not to the sign. You can compare the home and destination numbers on the Speed Limit Map.

Before you collect the car

Petrol is roughly $1.05/litre, the capital is Dhaka, and the emergency number is 999. For the full local rules read our Bangladesh driving guide, and confirm your documents with the Driving Permit Checker before you set off.