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Driving in Bhutan vs. Poland: Key Safety Differences

When navigating the roads of Bhutan and Poland, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experiences behind the wheel. From driving sides—left in Bhutan and right in Poland—to differing speed limits and signaling protocols, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring your safety abroad. Arm yourself with knowledge to navigate these unique driving landscapes confidently!

Lanes

Driving Side
bhutan:
Left
poland:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
poland:
Used for temporary markings, such as during road works.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bhutan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
poland:
Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
poland:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
poland:
Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
poland:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
poland:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
poland:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
poland:
Labeled 'BUS' on the road.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
poland:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
poland:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
poland:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
poland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.

Speeds Limits

Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
poland:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
poland:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
poland:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
poland:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
poland:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
poland:
140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
poland:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
poland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
poland:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
poland:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation.

Signals

Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bhutan:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
poland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
poland:
Signals a change to green is imminent.
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory
bhutan:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes
poland:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bhutan:
Signal when exiting
poland:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Allowed
bhutan:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
poland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bhutan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
poland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
bhutan:
Fines may apply for misuse
poland:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
bhutan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
poland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bhutan:
Not to be used to signal other messages
poland:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
bhutan:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
poland:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bhutan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
poland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
poland:
Polish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
bhutan:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
poland:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
poland:
Triangular with red border.

Turns

Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
poland:
Allowed only if a green arrow is present.
Left Turn: General
bhutan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
poland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
bhutan:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
poland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
poland:
Varies by location; check for signs.
Special Turn Lanes
bhutan:
Yes, marked with arrows
poland:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
bhutan:
Prohibited
poland:
Prohibited.

Documentation

Driver's License: Requirement
bhutan:
Valid driver's license required
poland:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
poland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
poland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit.
Insurance
bhutan:
Liability insurance mandatory
poland:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
poland:
Mandatory every year.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
poland:
Displayed on windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.

Road Etiquette

Flashing Lights: Usage
bhutan:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
poland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
bhutan:
Discouraged, fines may apply
poland:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bhutan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
poland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
bhutan:
Discouraged and may be penalized
poland:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
bhutan:
Only in emergency situations
poland:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
poland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
bhutan:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
poland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
poland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
bhutan:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
poland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.

Alcohol

Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
poland:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
poland:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bhutan:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
poland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
bhutan:
Check if medication affects driving ability
poland:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
poland:
Common; checkpoints used frequently.
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
poland:
Varies; can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bhutan:
Possible for severe offenses
poland:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
bhutan:
Can result in license suspension
poland:
Can result in license suspension.

Roundabouts

Priority: Entering
bhutan:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
poland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
bhutan:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
poland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
bhutan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
poland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
bhutan:
Signal right when preparing to exit
poland:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
bhutan:
Use for first exit or straight
poland:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
bhutan:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
poland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.

Emergency Services

Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
poland:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
poland:
997
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
poland:
981 or through your insurance provider.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.

Penalties And Fines

Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
poland:
Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles.
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
poland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
poland:
Mandatory, fines apply.
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
poland:
Fines apply for use without hands-free device.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
poland:
Fines and license points apply.
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
poland:
Rare; usually paid online or by mail.
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
poland:
Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
bhutan:
Same as residents; must be paid
poland:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
bhutan:
Possible if fines are not paid
poland:
Possible if fines are not paid.