Driving Differences: Australia vs. Bhutan Explained
When navigating the roads of Australia and Bhutan, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that influence their travel experience. From lane markings and speed limits to overtaking rules and emergency contacts, understanding these contrasts is vital for ensuring road safety abroad. Dive into our comprehensive comparison to explore how these two countries vary in driving customs and regulations.
Lanes
| Australia | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; can indicate the left edge in tunnels.
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
australia:
Not commonly used; may mark reversible lanes.
bhutan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
australia:
Allowed
bhutan:
No
Overtaking: On Right
australia:
Not allowed except on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
bhutan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
bhutan:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
australia:
Reserved for buses and taxis; usage by others restricted.
bhutan:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
australia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS LANE'; often with road signs.
bhutan:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
bhutan:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
australia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
bhutan:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
australia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
bhutan:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
australia:
Yes
bhutan:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
australia:
Minimum two or more occupants
bhutan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
bhutan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
bhutan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Australia | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-110 km/h | Up to 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | Up to 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | Up to 60 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | No |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; may vary by area. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
australia:
50 km/h
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
australia:
40 km/h
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
80-100 km/h
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
australia:
80-100 km/h
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
80-100 km/h
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
australia:
100-110 km/h
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
australia:
100-110 km/h
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
australia:
90-100 km/h
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
australia:
Yes
bhutan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
australia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
bhutan:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
australia:
Yes
bhutan:
No
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
australia:
Common; may vary by area.
bhutan:
Yes
Signals
| Australia | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not commonly used. | Not used in Bhutan |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
australia:
Not commonly used.
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
australia:
Signal when entering and exiting
bhutan:
Signal when exiting
Turns
| Australia | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, except where signage permits. | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Restricted; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
australia:
Not allowed, except where signage permits.
bhutan:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
australia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
Documentation
| Australia | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Varies by state; proof may be required | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Recommended, not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Recommended, not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
australia:
Accepted for short periods; International Driving Permit recommended.
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
australia:
Varies by state; proof may be required
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
australia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield in some states
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Australia | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
australia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
Alcohol
| Australia | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance in all states. | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; roadside breath testing often conducted | Common, especially during events |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; can be substantial | Substantial and imprisonment possible |
Limits: General Drivers
australia:
0.05%
bhutan:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
australia:
0.02%
bhutan:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
australia:
0.00%; zero tolerance in all states.
bhutan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
australia:
Common; roadside breath testing often conducted
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
Enforcement: Fines
australia:
Varies by state; can be substantial
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
Roundabouts
| Australia | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal right if intending to turn immediately | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Entering
australia:
Signal right if intending to turn immediately
bhutan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
australia:
Signal left when preparing to exit
bhutan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
australia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
bhutan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Australia | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 000 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; contact local police | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NRMA | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended, not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Recommended, not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
australia:
000
bhutan:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
australia:
Varies by state; contact local police
bhutan:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
australia:
Check with your insurance provider or NRMA
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
australia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Australia | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible | 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 | AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; varies by jurisdiction. | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay | Varies; typically immediate payment required |
Common Fines: Speeding
australia:
Varies; AUD 100 to AUD 3,000, demerit points possible
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
australia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 500, demerit points possible
bhutan:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Phone Use
australia:
AUD 200 to AUD 1,600, demerit points possible
bhutan:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
australia:
AUD 300 to AUD 900, demerit points possible
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
australia:
Yes; varies by jurisdiction.
bhutan:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
australia:
Varies; typically 14 to 28 days to pay
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required