Driving in Bhutan vs. Uzbekistan: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Bhutan and Uzbekistan, drivers encounter unique regulations and customs that significantly impact their travel experience. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides of the road, varied speed limits, and distinct traffic etiquette. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a safe and pleasant journey in either country.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
Driving Side
bhutan:
Left
uzbekistan:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bhutan:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
uzbekistan:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bhutan:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bhutan:
20-30 km/h
uzbekistan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
uzbekistan:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
uzbekistan:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Bhutan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bhutan:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
bhutan:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bhutan:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bhutan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bhutan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bhutan:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
uzbekistan:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
uzbekistan:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
uzbekistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
uzbekistan:
102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
uzbekistan:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
uzbekistan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
bhutan:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines