Driving in Bhutan vs. Ireland: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Bhutan and Ireland, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their travel experiences. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol thresholds, understanding these contrasts is vital for maintaining safety and compliance abroad. Explore how these two countries' driving norms differ and what it means for your journey.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | No, overtake on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Yes, standard overtaking side. |
| 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bhutan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
ireland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
ireland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
ireland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
ireland:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 120 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: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
ireland:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
ireland:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
ireland:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
ireland:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
ireland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
ireland:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
ireland:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
Signals
| Bhutan | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Indicates the light is about to turn green. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangles with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bhutan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bhutan:
Signal when exiting
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bhutan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
Turns
| Bhutan | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
ireland:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Random breath testing is common. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
ireland:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
ireland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
ireland:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | €60 fine and two penalty points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | €60 fine and three penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | €80 and three penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
ireland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
ireland:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay