Driving in Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Latvia: Key Differences
Discover the unique nuances of navigating the roads in Bosnia and Herzegovina versus Latvia. While both countries prioritize pedestrian rights, notable distinctions arise in speed regulations, alcohol limits, and lane usage. Understanding these variations is vital for ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience on your travels.
Lanes
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
latvia:
Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
latvia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement.
latvia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
latvia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
latvia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 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; fines are often issued immediately |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
latvia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
130 km/h
latvia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bosnia and herzegovina:
100 km/h
latvia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
90 km/h
latvia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
latvia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
latvia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, frequently used
latvia:
Common; fines are often issued immediately
Signals
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Latvia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| 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 | Latvian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not used
latvia:
Not used in Latvia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bosnia and herzegovina:
Signal when exiting
latvia:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bosnia and herzegovina:
Unreasonable use prohibited
latvia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn other drivers of your presence
latvia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard
latvia:
Latvian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bosnia and herzegovina:
Triangle-shaped with red border
latvia:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by a sign | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
latvia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed when not prohibited by a sign
latvia:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
Documentation
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required | Accepted, no International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Annual vehicle inspection required |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bosnia and herzegovina:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
latvia:
Accepted, no International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bosnia and herzegovina:
International Driving Permit recommended
latvia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory annual inspection
latvia:
Annual vehicle inspection required
Road Etiquette
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings |
Pedestrians Priority
bosnia and herzegovina:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
latvia:
Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings
Alcohol
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially on weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines possible | Substantial, varies based on BAC |
Limits: General Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.03%
latvia:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.00%; zero tolerance
latvia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bosnia and herzegovina:
Common
latvia:
Common, especially on weekends
Enforcement: Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Substantial fines possible
latvia:
Substantial, varies based on BAC
Emergency Services
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | Varies; dial 112 for emergencies |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Usually provided by insurance | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
Contact: Traffic Police
bosnia and herzegovina:
122
latvia:
Varies; dial 112 for emergencies
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually provided by insurance
latvia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Penalties And Fines
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Latvia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; €20 to €300, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €20 to €40, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free | €10 to €30, fines vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | €30 to €70, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Common; fines can often be settled at the time |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; fines can be significant
latvia:
Varies; €20 to €300, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
latvia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply
latvia:
€20 to €40, fines vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free
latvia:
€10 to €30, fines vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines applicable
latvia:
€30 to €70, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, often required
latvia:
Common; fines can often be settled at the time
Payment: Deadline
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
latvia:
Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days