Driving Safety: Bhutan vs. Denmark - Key Differences
Explore the distinct driving landscapes of Bhutan and Denmark, where road rules and etiquette vary significantly. Key differences include lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol regulations, showcasing Denmark’s structured approach compared to Bhutan’s more flexible system. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used temporarily in construction zones. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. |
| 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 bicycles and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bhutan:
Left
denmark:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bhutan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
denmark:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
denmark:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
denmark:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
denmark:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
denmark:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
denmark:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
denmark:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80 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 | 110-130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, for minor offenses. |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
denmark:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
denmark:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
denmark:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
denmark:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
denmark:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
denmark:
110-130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
denmark:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
denmark:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
denmark:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
denmark:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
denmark:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
Signals
| Bhutan | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Used before green. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Danish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
denmark:
Used before green.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bhutan:
Signal when exiting
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
denmark:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Bhutan | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. |
Left Turn: General
bhutan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
Documentation
| Bhutan | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
denmark:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
denmark:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
denmark:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
denmark:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
denmark:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; carried out by the police |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
denmark:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
denmark:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
denmark:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
denmark:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking any exit other than first |
Signaling: Entering
bhutan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Contact your insurer or patrol services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
denmark:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
denmark:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Denmark | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines apply, use of hands-free required |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Significant fines and possible license points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically within 14 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days