Driving in Bhutan vs. Japan: Key Safety Differences
Embarking on a journey through Bhutan and Japan reveals fascinating contrasts in roadway regulations and safety measures. While Bhutan features limited bus and cycle lanes, Japan boasts a sophisticated system of variable speed limits and rigorous enforcement. Explore these distinctions to ensure a secure driving experience in each unique environment.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Yes, overtaking is done on the right. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
japan:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
japan:
Yes, overtaking is done on the right.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
japan:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
japan:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
japan:
Labeled with bus symbols; specific times indicated with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
japan:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
japan:
Shared with lanes or exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
japan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 80-100 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
japan:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
japan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
japan:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
japan:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
japan:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
japan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
japan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
japan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
japan:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bhutan | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Not used in Japan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
japan:
Not used in Japan
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
japan:
Japanese with some bilingual signs; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bhutan | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
japan:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required along with national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Mandatory; proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on license plate |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
| 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
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
japan:
International Driving Permit required along with national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
japan:
Mandatory; proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
japan:
Displayed on license plate
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
japan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Generally used sparingly |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bhutan:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
japan:
To warn of hazards
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
japan:
Generally used sparingly
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | Prohibited; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; checkpoints may be set up |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Substantial; can lead to license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
japan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
japan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
japan:
Prohibited; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
japan:
Common; checkpoints may be set up
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
japan:
Substantial; can lead to license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider or JAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
japan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
japan:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
japan:
Check with your insurance provider or JAF
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
japan:
Recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
japan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; substantial fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Fines; enforceable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Severe fines, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Rare; fines usually paid later |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
japan:
Varies; substantial fines, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
japan:
Severe fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
japan:
Fines; enforceable
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
japan:
Severe fines, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
japan:
Fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
japan:
Rare; fines usually paid later
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
japan:
Varies; typically within 30 days