Driving Safety: Bhutan vs. Turkey - Key Differences
When traversing the roads of Bhutan and Turkey, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that can significantly impact their experience. Key contrasts include driving on the left in Bhutan versus the right in Turkey, differing speed limits, and varied rules regarding overtaking and lane usage. Understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring a safe journey abroad.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| 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 taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bhutan:
Left
turkey:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
turkey:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
turkey:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
turkey:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
turkey:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
turkey:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
turkey:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90 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 | 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: 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
turkey:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
turkey:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
turkey:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Bhutan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bhutan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Bhutan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Bhutan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | More 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
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
turkey:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
turkey:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
turkey:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bhutan:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
turkey:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
turkey:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges