How Foreigners Can Use Their Driving License in Bangladesh

Currently, many Bangladeshi citizens reside permanently outside the country. They may have obtained citizenship and a driving license in the country they live in, but they don't have a driving license from their home country. In such situations, they face complications related to driving licenses when they visit their relatives in Bangladesh.

Moreover, due to globalization, many foreign nationals regularly visit Bangladesh. If they need to stay in Bangladesh for a long time, they naturally require a driving license. However, lacking Bangladeshi citizenship, they assume they cannot obtain a driving license here. This is not true.

Therefore, today we will try to answer two questions:

1. How can a foreign driving license be used in Bangladesh?

2. How will foreign nationals use a driving license in our country?

Before that, let's see what Bangladesh's Road Transport Act, 2018, actually states about foreign nationals' driving licenses. For your convenience, we will try to explain a bit.

Road Transport Act, 2018 - (Act No. 47 of 2018)

Driving License for Foreign Nationals

9. (1) Any foreign national may drive a motor vehicle throughout Bangladesh for the duration of their driving license, provided it is presented to and endorsed by the Authority, having been issued by the appropriate authority of their own country.

Explanation - This means that if you possess a driving license from another country, you can have it endorsed by BRTA and use it throughout Bangladesh. In this case, there will be no need to obtain a Bangladeshi driving license. However, you can only use the foreign driving license until its expiry date.

(2) Any foreign national may apply to the Authority for a driving license in the prescribed form and manner, subject to the payment of the prescribed fee, and if such an application is made, a driving license shall be issued to them under this Act.

Explanation - This means that if you are a citizen of another country and wish to obtain a Bangladeshi driving license by presenting your driving license from that country, you must follow a specific process to apply for this license. To know about the application process, you must read the article till the end.

(3) If any foreign national violates any provision of this Act, rules, or regulations, or any condition stated in the license, the Authority may suspend, revoke, or cancel their driving license, or invalidate the endorsed foreign driving license, and in such a case, the concerned foreign national shall not be allowed to drive any motor vehicle in Bangladesh.

Explanation - This means that for both Bangladeshi and foreign nationals, the law is equal for all. If, as a foreign national, you commit any offense under the Safe Road Act, BRTA has the authority to suspend or cancel your license.

How to Obtain a Driving License in Bangladesh with a Foreign Driving License?

You can obtain a driving license in Bangladesh by presenting your foreign driving license, by following the method mentioned below.

Required Documents:

1. A photocopy of your foreign driving license must be attested by a Notary Public.

2. Four passport-sized photographs are required.

3. A photocopy of your passport or ID card is required.

First, you must go to the Diabari BRTA office in Uttara, Dhaka, with all the documents. There is a separate form (green colored) for foreign license holders. You must fill it out and submit all documents together. They will return the documents to you with a stamp and inform you of the exam date.

Then, on the specified date, you only need to take a written and oral exam. You will not be required to take a practical exam.

Within two weeks of the exam, you will be called to the center via message. There, your fingerprints will be taken, and your photo will be captured.

Afterwards, you will be given a temporary driving permit. You can drive with this. Two months later, you will be issued a smart card.

Conclusion

Keeping an updated driving license is just as important as motorcycle registration. If your driving license is not updated along with other bike documents, you often face considerable trouble on the road. However, I hope I have been able to clarify the process of obtaining a driving license in Bangladesh for foreign nationals today.