Driving in Austria vs. Bhutan: Key Differences Explained
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Austria and Bhutan. From the driving side—where Austria adheres to the right while Bhutan opts for the left—to notable variations in speed limits and road markings, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a safe journey abroad. Stay informed to navigate these diverse driving landscapes effectively.
Lanes
| Austria | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Yes |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; 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 |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
austria:
Right
bhutan:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
bhutan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
austria:
Yes
bhutan:
No
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
bhutan:
Yes
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
austria:
Use rightmost lane.
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
bhutan:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
bhutan:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
austria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
bhutan:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
austria:
Yes
bhutan:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
austria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
bhutan:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
austria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
bhutan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
bhutan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
bhutan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 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 | 70-80 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | Up to 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Up to 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 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; fines may also be mailed. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
austria:
50 km/h
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
austria:
30 km/h
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
austria:
100 km/h
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
bhutan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
bhutan:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
austria:
Yes
bhutan:
No
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
bhutan:
Yes
Signals
| Austria | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Bhutan |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
bhutan:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Austria | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Restricted; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
bhutan:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
Documentation
| Austria | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Annual vehicle inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | 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
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Austria | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
austria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
austria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Austria | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially during events |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Substantial and imprisonment possible |
Limits: General Drivers
austria:
0.05%
bhutan:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
bhutan:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
bhutan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
Emergency Services
| Austria | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 113 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | 113 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | 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
austria:
112
bhutan:
113
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
bhutan:
113
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
austria:
Mandatory
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
austria:
Mandatory
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Bhutan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | 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 apply | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically immediate payment required |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
austria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
bhutan:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
bhutan:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
bhutan:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required