Driving in Austria vs. Bulgaria: Key Differences Explained
When traveling through Austria and Bulgaria, understanding the nuances of their road regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol restrictions. While Austria enforces variable speed limits, Bulgaria permits higher speeds on highways. Familiarizing yourself with these driving variations enhances your overall driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Austria | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Right | Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | Primarily reserved for public transport. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
austria:
Used primarily near tram lines or in temporary roadworks.
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
austria:
Marks temporary lane changes or works in progress.
bulgaria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
austria:
Allowed only in certain situations such as when the vehicle ahead is signaling a left turn.
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
austria:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
austria:
N/A
bulgaria:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
bulgaria:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits.
bulgaria:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Austria | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 140 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common; fines may also be mailed. | Yes |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
100 km/h
bulgaria:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
austria:
80-100 km/h
bulgaria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
70-80 km/h
bulgaria:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
austria:
130 km/h
bulgaria:
140 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
austria:
80-100 km/h
bulgaria:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
austria:
Yes
bulgaria:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
austria:
Electronic signs display current limits
bulgaria:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
austria:
Common; fines may also be mailed.
bulgaria:
Yes
Signals
| Austria | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move. | Not used in Bulgaria |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Bulgarian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
austria:
Indicates upcoming green light; prepare to move.
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
austria:
Signal when entering and exiting
bulgaria:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
austria:
German; symbols are standard
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
austria:
Triangular with red border
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Austria | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light | Not generally allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs |
Right Turn On Red
austria:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign or traffic light
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
U- Turns Allowed
austria:
Prohibited in urban areas unless a sign permits it
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
Documentation
| Austria | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof may be required | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
austria:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not needed
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
austria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
austria:
Yes, proof may be required
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
austria:
Displayed on license plate
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Alcohol
| Austria | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; varies by offense | Substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
austria:
0.01%
bulgaria:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
austria:
0.01%
bulgaria:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
austria:
Common
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
austria:
Substantial; varies by offense
bulgaria:
Substantial
Emergency Services
| Austria | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 133 | Varies by region |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ) | Check with your insurance provider or local providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
austria:
133
bulgaria:
Varies by region
Contact: Roadside Assistance
austria:
120 (ÖAMTC) or 123 (ARBÖ)
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
Penalties And Fines
| Austria | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Up to €50 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points on license | Up to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, points on license | Varies; typically fined and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Common; fines often paid onsite |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 14 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
austria:
Varies; €30 to €2,180, points on license
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
austria:
Fines apply
bulgaria:
Up to €50
Common Fines: Phone Use
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
bulgaria:
Up to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
austria:
Fines apply, points on license
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
austria:
Common
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
Payment: Deadline
austria:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay