Driving Differences: Bhutan vs. Croatia Explained
When exploring the roadways of Bhutan and Croatia, drivers will encounter notable distinctions in regulations and practices. From lane usage to speed limits and emergency protocols, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a secure travel experience. Discover how these two countries' unique driving cultures shape safety on the roads.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Not commonly practiced. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bhutan:
Left
croatia:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
croatia:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
croatia:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
croatia:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
croatia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
croatia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
croatia:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
croatia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
croatia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
croatia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 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 | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
croatia:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
croatia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
croatia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
croatia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
croatia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
croatia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
croatia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
croatia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
croatia:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
croatia:
Yes
Signals
| Bhutan | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Not used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Croatian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
croatia:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bhutan:
Signal when exiting
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
croatia:
Triangle with red border
Turns
| Bhutan | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens |
| 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 | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
croatia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
croatia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
croatia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
croatia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| 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
croatia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
croatia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
croatia:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
croatia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
croatia:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
croatia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 92 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | 188 or check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
croatia:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
croatia:
92
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
croatia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
croatia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; significant fines possible |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Significant fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes, often |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; stated at the time of fine |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
croatia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
croatia:
Significant fines
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
croatia:
Yes, often
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine