International Driver's License for Bangladesh

While Bangladesh may accept a foreign license for short stays, an International Driver's License is strongly advisable for anyone driving there. Bangladesh drives on the left, and an IDL confirms your licence details to police, rental agencies, and insurers in a clear, translated form. It is used alongside your home license, not instead of it. Apply online through E-ITA and access your digital documents in minutes.

An International Driving License (IDL) and International Driving Permit (IDP) are the same document under different names. In Bangladesh it translates your national license into multiple languages so that authorities such as the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and rental staff can read your details. It does not replace your home license — you must carry both when driving in Bangladesh.

Driver licensing and vehicle registration in Bangladesh are managed by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA). As a visitor you are not applying to BRTA for a local license on a short trip; instead you carry your home license together with an IDP translation. If you are stopped, presenting both makes it easier for traffic police to verify that you are licensed.

Traffic in cities like Dhaka and Chittagong is dense, and driving is on the left, which can be demanding for first-time visitors. Many travellers choose to hire a car with a local driver rather than self-drive. If you do drive yourself, carrying an IDP with your national license keeps your documentation clear, though it does not change the challenging road conditions you should prepare for.

* People drive on the left side of the road.

* The minimum age to drive a car is 18, and the minimum age to rent a car is also 18.

* Bangladesh does not have a national seat belt law, but wearing a seat belt when one is available is strongly recommended.

* There is no national law banning mobile phone use while driving, but avoiding phone use at the wheel is safer.

* Helmets are required for motorcycle and scooter drivers and passengers. There is no age restriction for child passengers as long as they wear a helmet.

* Legal Blood Alcohol Content level: 0.00%. Do not drink and drive.

* Speed limits are set by vehicle type, with a maximum of 112 km/h (70 mph) for light vehicles in both urban and rural areas.

Yes — Bangladesh applies a zero limit of 0.00% blood alcohol, so you should not drink anything before driving. As a foreign driver you are held to the same standard as locals, and an IDP does not relax any rule; it simply translates your licence. Given the country's busy roads, staying completely sober behind the wheel is the safest choice.

It is best to arrange your IDP before you travel, since it translates a license your home country already issued and should be carried from your first day of driving. If you have arrived without one, you can still apply online through E-ITA and access your digital documents quickly instead of searching for a local office. Having it ready before you pick up a car avoids complications.

Short-term visitors generally drive in Bangladesh on their valid national license paired with an IDP for the length of a normal visit. If you settle in Bangladesh you would eventually need a locally issued license through BRTA rather than relying on the IDP long term. For a typical trip, your home license plus the IDP translation is what agencies and police expect.

The physical IDP booklet is the preferred document to carry with your national license while driving in Bangladesh. The digital copy from your E-ITA application is a handy backup on your phone, and some rental agencies will accept it in practice — particularly for last-minute arrivals still waiting on the printed booklet. Use the digital version as a fallback rather than a full replacement for the physical permit.

Bangladesh does not have a national seat belt law or a national ban on using a mobile phone while driving, but both are still strongly recommended for your safety given the country's dense and unpredictable traffic. An IDP does not change these local rules — it only translates your licence. Buckle up whenever a belt is available and keep your phone down while at the wheel.