Driving licenceBangladesh

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Bangladesh. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


2. Driving licence

A driving licence is an official document authorising a person to drive one or more specified categories of motor vehicle. It may contain conditions, restrictions, category codes and expiry dates that determine which vehicles the holder may drive.

Drivers must hold a licence that is valid for the vehicle category and jurisdiction concerned. A licence may be provisional, full, restricted, suspended or withdrawn, and additional qualifications may be required for professional driving.

Driving licence
Front of a Bangladesh driving licence.
Wikimedia.org • Drsadiajm • CC BY-SA
Which driving-licence entitlement is needed for an ordinary car in Bangladesh?

You need a valid licence for the particular vehicle category. Check the local vehicle-category table and any conditions on your document; permission to ride a motorcycle or drive a small vehicle does not automatically authorise driving an ordinary car.

🔗 objectstorage.ap-dcc-gazipur-1.oraclecloud15.com • Act 4, 6 and 9; correct entitlement and foreign-licence endorsement, complete IDP regime not retrieved

🔗 rthd.gov.bd • RTHD — current official law index, October 2026

Can a visitor drive in Bangladesh using a driving licence issued abroad?

Check the requirements for your licence and visit. For example, UK Government guidance says a UK licence holder needs both the UK driving licence and a 1949 International Driving Permit to drive in Bangladesh. Holders of other licences should confirm the applicable recognition and document requirements before driving.

🔗 gov.uk • UK Government, driving-document requirements in Bangladesh

🔗 gov.uk • UK Government, IDP must accompany valid licence

Does an International Driving Permit replace the original licence in Bangladesh?

No. An International Driving Permit accompanies the underlying valid driving licence; it does not replace it. Carry both when using an IDP, and check which permit or translation is accepted for your licence and visit.

🔗 gov.uk • UK Government, IDP must accompany valid licence

🔗 gov.uk • UK Government, driving-document requirements in Bangladesh

1 Bangladesh 2 Driving licence 3 Reversing 4 Bus 5 Police 6 Ambulance 7 Pothole 8 Path 9 Particulates 10 Air pollution 11 Rush hour 12 Road code 13 Street gutter 14 Cargo bike 15 Forestry vehicle 16 Construction vehicle 17 Semi-trailer truck 18 Trolleybus 19 Speed pedelec 20 Delivery vehicle 21 Idling 22 Tow truck 23 Four-wheel drive 24 Bicycle 25 Motorcycle equipment 26 Rail track 27 Caravan 28 Trailer 29 Tow hitch 30 Fire truck 31 Siren 32 Convoy 33 Emergency vehicle lighting 34 Agricultural machinery 35 Electric bicycle 36 Electric vehicle 37 Pedelec 38 Quadricycle 39 Microcar 40 All-terrain vehicle 41 Van 42 Recreational vehicle 43 Scooter 44 Trikke 45 Personal mobility device 46 Skateboard 47 Segway 48 Kick scooter 49 Roller skates 50 Mailman 51 Hitchhiker 52 Toddler 53 Child 54 Disability 55 Motorail 56 km/h 57 mph 58 Speedometer 59 Ride height 60 Dirt road 61 Driving 62 Start-stop system 63 Manual transmission 64 Automatic transmission 65 Throttle 66 Tachometer 67 Steering wheel 68 Power steering 69 Visual scanning 70 Mirror 71 Fuel 72 Fuel gauge 73 Petrol 74 Diesel 75 Diesel exhaust fluid 76 Car insurance 77 First aid kit 78 Fire extinguisher 79 High-visibility clothing 80 First aid 81 Concrete step barrier 82 Barriers 83 Vehicle lights 84 Street lights 85 Dipped beam 86 High beam 87 Fog lights 88 Front fog lights 89 Rear fog lights 90 Side lights 91 Turn signals 92 Hazard lights 93 Dashboard lights 94 Bicycle lighting 95 Bicycle bell 96 Headlight flashing 97 Seat belt 98 Child restraints 99 Head restraints 100 Airbag ...