Azerbaijan vs Bulgaria: Key Driving Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Azerbaijan and Bulgaria, drivers must be aware of notable distinctions that impact travel safety. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol regulations and fines, this comparison highlights their unique traffic norms. Understanding these key variations will help ensure a smoother, safer experience behind the wheel in both countries.
Lanes
| Azerbaijan | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the center on undivided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | In some cases, such as if the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles. | Primarily reserved for public transport. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Mainly in major cities and occasionally shared with bus lanes. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Limited | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Often designated for buses and public transport. | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
azerbaijan:
Marks the center on undivided roads.
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
azerbaijan:
In some cases, such as if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
azerbaijan:
Reserved primarily for buses and sometimes other public transport vehicles.
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
Bus Lanes: Markings
azerbaijan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked by road signs.
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Limited
bulgaria:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
azerbaijan:
Mainly in major cities and occasionally shared with bus lanes.
bulgaria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
azerbaijan:
N/A
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
azerbaijan:
Limited
bulgaria:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
azerbaijan:
Often designated for buses and public transport.
bulgaria:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
azerbaijan:
Yes
bulgaria:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
azerbaijan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
bulgaria:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Azerbaijan | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 110 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 practice; fines can also be mailed. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
azerbaijan:
40-60 km/h
bulgaria:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
azerbaijan:
20 km/h
bulgaria:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
bulgaria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
azerbaijan:
90 km/h
bulgaria:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
bulgaria:
140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
bulgaria:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
azerbaijan:
110 km/h
bulgaria:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
azerbaijan:
Yes
bulgaria:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
azerbaijan:
Electronic signs display current limits
bulgaria:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
azerbaijan:
Common practice; fines can also be mailed.
bulgaria:
Yes
Signals
| Azerbaijan | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Azerbaijan | Not used in Bulgaria |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Azerbaijani; symbols are standard | Bulgarian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
azerbaijan:
Not used in Azerbaijan
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
Traffic Signs: Language
azerbaijan:
Azerbaijani; symbols are standard
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
azerbaijan:
Triangle-shaped with red border
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Azerbaijan | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown | Not generally allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs |
Right Turn On Red
azerbaijan:
Generally not allowed, unless a green arrow is shown
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
U- Turns Allowed
azerbaijan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
Documentation
| Azerbaijan | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual technical inspection required | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Provided upon successful inspection | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
azerbaijan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
azerbaijan:
Annual technical inspection required
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
azerbaijan:
Provided upon successful inspection
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Azerbaijan | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
azerbaijan:
Moderate use compared to some countries
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Azerbaijan | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Occasional; fines and penalties apply | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
azerbaijan:
0.03%
bulgaria:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
azerbaijan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
bulgaria:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
azerbaijan:
Occasional; fines and penalties apply
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
azerbaijan:
Can be substantial
bulgaria:
Substantial
Emergency Services
| Azerbaijan | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 102 | Varies by region |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Call your insurance provider or local service | Check with your insurance provider or local providers |
Contact: Traffic Police
azerbaijan:
102
bulgaria:
Varies by region
Contact: Roadside Assistance
azerbaijan:
Call your insurance provider or local service
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
Penalties And Fines
| Azerbaijan | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Significant fines | Up to €50 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Significant fines, possible license points | Up to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines, points on license | Varies; typically fined and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail | Common; fines often paid onsite |
Common Fines: Speeding
azerbaijan:
Varies; can be significant depending on excess speed
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
azerbaijan:
Significant fines
bulgaria:
Up to €50
Common Fines: Phone Use
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, possible license points
bulgaria:
Up to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
azerbaijan:
Significant fines, points on license
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
azerbaijan:
Possible; and fines can also be paid online or by mail
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite