Driving in Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Germany: Key Differences
When exploring the varied road rules between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Germany, significant disparities emerge that can impact your travels. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol regulations, understanding these distinctions is vital for a safe journey. Knowing the local driving customs can make all the difference in your experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. |
| 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 Yellow Line
bosnia and herzegovina:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bosnia and herzegovina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
Overtaking: On Right
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement.
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
germany:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
germany:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| 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 | Common |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
germany:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
germany:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
130 km/h
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
90 km/h
germany:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
germany:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, frequently used
germany:
Common
Signals
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Indicates the light is about to change to green |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unreasonable use prohibited | Unnecessary use discouraged; 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 | German; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not used
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bosnia and herzegovina:
Unreasonable use prohibited
germany:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn other drivers of your presence
germany:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard
germany:
German; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by a sign | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
U- Turns Allowed
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed when not prohibited by a sign
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Mandatory, every 2 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on rear license plate |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bosnia and herzegovina:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bosnia and herzegovina:
International Driving Permit recommended
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory annual inspection
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bosnia and herzegovina:
Displayed on windshield
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
Road Etiquette
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bosnia and herzegovina:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines possible | Can be substantial, varies by offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.03%
germany:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.00%; zero tolerance
germany:
0.00%
Enforcement: Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Substantial fines possible
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
Test Refusal
bosnia and herzegovina:
Can result in license suspension and fines
germany:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Usually provided by insurance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC |
Contact: Traffic Police
bosnia and herzegovina:
122
germany:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually provided by insurance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
Penalties And Fines
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €30 to €60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | €90 to €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; fines can be significant
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply
germany:
€30 to €60
Common Fines: Phone Use
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free
germany:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines applicable
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, often required
germany:
Common
Payment: Deadline
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay