Driving in Afghanistan vs. Bulgaria: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Afghanistan and Bulgaria, travelers will encounter distinct driving practices that significantly impact their journey. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane markings, and the presence of dedicated bus and cycle lanes, all of which play crucial roles in ensuring safe navigation. Understanding these variations is essential for a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Afghanistan | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Primarily reserved for public transport. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
afghanistan:
Not commonly used.
bulgaria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Bus Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
bulgaria:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
Bus Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
afghanistan:
No
bulgaria:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
afghanistan:
N/A
bulgaria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
afghanistan:
N/A
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
afghanistan:
N/A
bulgaria:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
bulgaria:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Afghanistan | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 25 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued instantly | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
afghanistan:
25-40 km/h
bulgaria:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
afghanistan:
25 km/h
bulgaria:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
bulgaria:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
bulgaria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
60-80 km/h
bulgaria:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
bulgaria:
140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
afghanistan:
100-120 km/h
bulgaria:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
afghanistan:
80-100 km/h
bulgaria:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
afghanistan:
N/A
bulgaria:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
afghanistan:
Yes, fines can be issued instantly
bulgaria:
Yes
Signals
| Afghanistan | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Afghanistan | Not used in Bulgaria |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Pashto, Dari | Bulgarian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Standard symbols used | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
afghanistan:
Not used in Afghanistan
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
Traffic Signs: Language
afghanistan:
Pashto, Dari
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
afghanistan:
Standard symbols used
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Afghanistan | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not usually allowed | Not generally allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies; check for signs | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs |
Right Turn On Red
afghanistan:
Not usually allowed
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
U- Turns Allowed
afghanistan:
Varies; check for signs
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
Documentation
| Afghanistan | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
afghanistan:
International Driving Permit recommended
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
afghanistan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
afghanistan:
Displayed on windshield
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
bulgaria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory
bulgaria:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Afghanistan | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
afghanistan:
Frequent use compared to some countries
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Afghanistan | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by region; can be substantial | Substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
afghanistan:
0.00%
bulgaria:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
afghanistan:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
afghanistan:
Varies by region; can be substantial
bulgaria:
Substantial
Emergency Services
| Afghanistan | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Dial local police station | Varies by region |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; limited services | Check with your insurance provider or local providers |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
afghanistan:
Dial local police station
bulgaria:
Varies by region
Contact: Roadside Assistance
afghanistan:
Check with your insurance provider; limited services
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bulgaria:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
afghanistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bulgaria:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Afghanistan | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 500 AFN and above | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply for not wearing seat belts | Up to €50 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use while driving | Up to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, point system not common | Varies; typically fined and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines may be paid instantly | Common; fines often paid onsite |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
afghanistan:
Varies; 500 AFN and above
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
afghanistan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
bulgaria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
afghanistan:
Fines apply for not wearing seat belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
Common Fines: Phone Use
afghanistan:
Fines apply for use while driving
bulgaria:
Up to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
afghanistan:
Fines apply, point system not common
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
afghanistan:
Yes; fines may be paid instantly
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
Payment: Deadline
afghanistan:
Varies; typically within a few days
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay