Driving Permit for Bangladesh
Driving in Bangladesh? You need a 1949-convention IDP plus your home licence. Learn Bangladesh IDP rules, left-hand traffic, chauffeur-driven rental norms and road safety essentials.
- Drive on
- Left
- Convention
- 1949 Geneva
- IDP validity
- 12 months
- Processing time
- 24-48 hours
Do you need an IDP to drive in Bangladesh?
Bangladesh recognises the International Driving Permit under the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic. Foreign visitors who want to drive must carry both a 1949-format IDP and their original home driving licence — the UK government's official travel advice states plainly that you need both documents, and Canada's travel advice likewise says visitors must carry an IDP. There is no exemption for English-language licences: the foreign licence alone is not sufficient, and because an IDP can only be issued in your home country, you must arrange it before you travel. Longer-term residents are expected to convert to a local licence through the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA).
Traffic drives on the left, a legacy of British rule, and most vehicles are right-hand drive. Be realistic about what driving in Bangladesh actually involves: Dhaka's traffic is among the most congested in the world, with buses, trucks, rickshaws and pedestrians sharing every lane. Self-drive car hire barely exists — virtually all rental cars come with a chauffeur, and both hotels and foreign embassies recommend hiring a car with a driver rather than getting behind the wheel yourself. If you do drive, expect police checkpoints and keep your IDP and licence with you at all times.
Local rules to know: the minimum age for a non-professional driving licence is 18 (20 for professional drivers), and the Road Transport Act 2018 significantly toughened penalties for licence and traffic offences. The UK Foreign Office warns that road accidents are common due to poor driving standards and unroadworthy vehicles, and both the UK and Canadian governments specifically warn against driving after dark, when many vehicles run without headlights and robbery is a risk on roads between towns.
Bangladesh recognises the IDP under the 1949 Geneva Convention.
Bangladesh is a signatory to the 1949 Geneva Convention. In practice, an IDP issued by another signatory country is recognised for your permitted visitor stay — in Bangladesh, plan on 12 months.
What you need to drive in Bangladesh
Have these ready before you pick up the keys.
1949-convention International Driving Permit carried together with your original driving licence
Minimum driving age is 18 (20 for professional licences)
Obtain your IDP before travelling — it cannot be issued once you are in Bangladesh
Carry both documents at all times; police checks are common
Bangladesh is a party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, so it recognises the 1949-format IDP — not the 1968 Vienna format
Traffic drives on the left and most vehicles are right-hand drive
The minimum age for a non-professional driving licence is 18; professional licences require age 20
The Road Transport Act 2018 substantially increased penalties for driving and licensing offences
UK government advice: an IDP cannot be bought once abroad, so it must be obtained before travelling
Canadian government advice: road travel is dangerous, particularly after dark, and many vehicles operate without headlights or on full high beam
What to know before you turn the key
Bangladesh drives on the left — the driver sits on the right, and roundabouts flow clockwise.
Carry your IDP and your original license together — rental desks and police checks will ask for both documents.
Self-drive hire is rare in Bangladesh — most rental cars come with a chauffeur, and embassies recommend using a hired driver rather than driving yourself
Avoid driving after dark: many vehicles run without headlights or on full beam, and there is a robbery risk on intercity roads at night
If involved in a serious accident, Canadian government advice is to go directly to the nearest police station rather than remain at the scene
Driving without a valid licence and IDP is an offence under the Road Transport Act 2018, which sharply increased fines for traffic and licensing violations and provides for imprisonment in serious cases. Police checkpoints are common, and drivers judged at fault in an accident can face detention, so embassies advise going straight to a police station after any serious collision.
Local rules to watch in Bangladesh
Low-emission zones, tolls, and city-specific rules that catch visiting drivers out.
Dhaka: extreme congestion with rickshaws, buses and pedestrians in every lane — most foreign visitors use a hired car with a driver instead of self-driving
Chattogram (Chittagong): the Dhaka–Chattogram corridor is the country's busiest intercity route, with heavy truck traffic; plan to travel in daylight
Cox's Bazar and Sylhet: long intercity drives — embassies advise completing journeys before dark because of unlit vehicles and roadside crime risk
Signs you'll meet on the road
Eight internationally recognised signs — including which side of the road Bangladesh keeps.
Common questions about driving in Bangladesh
Drive Bangladesh, confidently.
Apply online in minutes and get instant digital access to your IDP translation — with an IDP PVC card option if you want one in your wallet.