Driving in Bhutan vs Cambodia: Key Safety Differences
When venturing from Bhutan to Cambodia, understanding the distinct driving practices is essential for a secure journey. Key contrasts include driving on opposite sides of the road, varying speed limits, and different regulations regarding emergency vehicles. Familiarizing yourself with these crucial aspects will ensure you navigate the roads confidently and safely.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bhutan:
Left
cambodia:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
cambodia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
cambodia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
cambodia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
cambodia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
cambodia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
cambodia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
cambodia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
cambodia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
cambodia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
cambodia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
cambodia:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
cambodia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
cambodia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
cambodia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
cambodia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
cambodia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
cambodia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
cambodia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
cambodia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
cambodia:
Yes
Signals
| Bhutan | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Khmer and English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
cambodia:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
cambodia:
Khmer and English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bhutan | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Varies, check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
cambodia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
cambodia:
Varies, check for signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
cambodia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
cambodia:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
cambodia:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
cambodia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Frequent use as means of communication |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
cambodia:
Frequent use as means of communication
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
cambodia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Strict and substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
cambodia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
cambodia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
cambodia:
0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
cambodia:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
cambodia:
Strict and substantial
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
cambodia:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
cambodia:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
cambodia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; fines are substantial |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Varies; penalties applied |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Varies; penalties applied |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes, on the spot payment |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically within a specified period |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
cambodia:
Varies; fines are substantial
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
cambodia:
Yes, on the spot payment
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
cambodia:
Varies; typically within a specified period