Driving in Bhutan vs. France: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Bhutan and France, drivers will encounter notable contrasts in regulations and practices. From the left-side driving in Bhutan to the right-side approach in France, understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol regulations, all vital for navigating safely abroad.
Lanes
| Bhutan | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bhutan:
Left
france:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bhutan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
france:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
france:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
france:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
france:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
france:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
france:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | France | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 90 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 | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
france:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
france:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
france:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
france:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
france:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
france:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bhutan | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Not used in France |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | French; 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
france:
Not used in France
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bhutan:
Signal when exiting
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bhutan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
france:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
france:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Bhutan | France | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits |
| 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 | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
france:
Accepted for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
france:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
france:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
france:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
france:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering if turning right |
Signaling: Entering
bhutan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 17 or through local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
france:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
france:
17 or through local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
france:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
france:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | €135 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | €135 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | €135 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically 45 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
france:
€135
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
france:
€135
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
france:
€135
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay