Driving in Bolivia vs. Bulgaria: Key Safety Tips
When navigating the roads of Bolivia and Bulgaria, understanding the distinct driving regulations is vital for ensuring a secure journey. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and traffic enforcement. While Bolivia allows right turns on red, Bulgaria enforces stricter rules. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will enhance your safety and confidence while abroad.
Lanes
| Bolivia | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Primarily reserved for public transport. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
bulgaria:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
bulgaria:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
bulgaria:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 km/h | 140 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
bulgaria:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
bulgaria:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
bulgaria:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
70-80 km/h
bulgaria:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
bulgaria:
140 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
bulgaria:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
bulgaria:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
bulgaria:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
bulgaria:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
bulgaria:
Yes
Signals
| Bolivia | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in Bulgaria |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish | Bulgarian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
bulgaria:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
bulgaria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Bolivia | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Not generally allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
Documentation
| Bolivia | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, proof required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on license plate or windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
bulgaria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | Common; checkpoints used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies, can be substantial | Substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
bulgaria:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
bulgaria:
Substantial
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Varies by region |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Check with your insurance provider or local providers |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
bulgaria:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
bulgaria:
Varies by region
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Bulgaria | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Up to €50 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines may apply, varies by location | Up to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | Varies; typically fined and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Common; fines often paid onsite |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
bulgaria:
Up to €50
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
bulgaria:
Up to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay