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.

australiabhutan

LEFT

Driving Side

The driving side in australia is the Left Side of the road

Driving Safety Score

The driving Driving Safety Score in australia is 87

1.032 $

Gas Price in USD

The driving Driving Safety Score for australia is 1.032 US Dollars

While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.

Lanes

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	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:

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:

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:

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:

High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements

australia:

Minimum two or more occupants

bhutan:

N/A

Variable Speed Limits: Presence

australia:

Yes

bhutan:

Variable Speed Limits: Indications

australia:

Electronic signs display current limits.

bhutan:

N/A

Speeds Limits

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	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:

Variable Speed Limits: Indications

australia:

Electronic signs display current limits.

bhutan:

N/A

Enforcement: Speed Cameras

australia:

Yes

bhutan:

Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines

australia:

Common; may vary by area.

bhutan:

Yes

Signals

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	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

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	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

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	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

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	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

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	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

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	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

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	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

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	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