Driving in Albania vs. Bhutan: Key Differences Explained
When considering a road trip in Albania or Bhutan, it’s essential to understand their distinct driving regulations. Key variations include the side of the road driven on—right in Albania and left in Bhutan—as well as differing speed limits and traffic etiquette. Familiarizing yourself with these contrasts ensures a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Albania | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
Driving Side
albania:
Right
bhutan:
Left
Overtaking: On Left
albania:
Yes
bhutan:
No
Overtaking: On Right
albania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
bhutan:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
albania:
Use rightmost lane.
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
albania:
Yes
bhutan:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
albania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
bhutan:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
albania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
bhutan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Albania | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | Up to 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | Up to 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | Up to 60 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be paid at the scene. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
albania:
30 km/h
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
80 km/h
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
70 km/h
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
albania:
90 km/h
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
90 km/h
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
albania:
Yes
bhutan:
No
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
bhutan:
Yes
Signals
| Albania | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | Not used in Bhutan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Albania | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Restricted; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
bhutan:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
Documentation
| Albania | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended, not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended, not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
albania:
Displayed on windshield
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
albania:
Mandatory
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Albania | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
albania:
To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake
bhutan:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
albania:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
albania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Albania | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common, especially during events |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Substantial and imprisonment possible |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
bhutan:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
albania:
0.00%
bhutan:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
albania:
0.00%; zero tolerance
bhutan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
Emergency Services
| Albania | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended, not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended, not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
albania:
112
bhutan:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
bhutan:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
albania:
Mandatory
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; often involves fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically immediate payment required |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
albania:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
bhutan:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
bhutan:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
bhutan:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required