Driving Differences: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. France
Exploring the unique road regulations and practices in Bosnia and Herzegovina versus France reveals significant contrasts. From lane markings and speed enforcement to alcohol limits and emergency protocols, understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring safe travel. Dive in to learn how to navigate the roads confidently in each country.
Lanes
| Bosnia and herzegovina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bosnia and herzegovina:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bosnia and herzegovina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement.
france:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bosnia and herzegovina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, frequently used | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, frequently used
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bosnia and herzegovina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in France |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unreasonable use prohibited | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not used
france:
Not used in France
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bosnia and herzegovina:
Signal when exiting
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bosnia and herzegovina:
Unreasonable use prohibited
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn other drivers of your presence
france:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard
france:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bosnia and herzegovina:
Triangle-shaped with red border
france:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Bosnia and herzegovina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by a sign | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
france:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed when not prohibited by a sign
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bosnia and herzegovina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required | Accepted for short visits |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bosnia and herzegovina:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
france:
Accepted for short visits
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory annual inspection
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Bosnia and herzegovina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bosnia and herzegovina:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bosnia and herzegovina:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bosnia and herzegovina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines possible | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.03%
france:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.00%
france:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.00%; zero tolerance
france:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bosnia and herzegovina:
Common
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Substantial fines possible
france:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
bosnia and herzegovina:
Can result in license suspension and fines
france:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Bosnia and herzegovina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering if turning right |
Signaling: Entering
bosnia and herzegovina:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
Emergency Services
| Bosnia and herzegovina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 17 or through local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Usually provided by insurance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service |
Contact: Traffic Police
bosnia and herzegovina:
122
france:
17 or through local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually provided by insurance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
Penalties And Fines
| Bosnia and herzegovina | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €135 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free | €135 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | €135 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 45 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; fines can be significant
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
Common Fines: Alcohol
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply
france:
€135
Common Fines: Phone Use
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free
france:
€135
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines applicable
france:
€135
Payment: On The Spot
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, often required
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay