Driving in Bhutan vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
Discover the distinct driving practices in Bhutan and the United Kingdom to enhance your road safety while traveling. From lane markings and speed limits to unique traffic regulations, this comparison uncovers vital distinctions that every driver should know. Stay informed and navigate these diverse landscapes with confidence for a safer journey abroad!
Lanes
| Bhutan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| 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. |
Markings: Solid White Line
bhutan:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
bhutan:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bhutan:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
bhutan:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| 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 typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
bhutan:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Bhutan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bhutan:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Bhutan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
bhutan:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
bhutan:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Bhutan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Bhutan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
bhutan:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
bhutan:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay