Driving in Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Poland: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Bosnia and Herzegovina versus Poland, drivers must be aware of significant variations in regulations and practices. From speed limits to lane usage, these differences can impact road safety. Understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring a secure journey and adapting to local driving customs effectively.
Lanes
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary markings, such as during road works. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' on the road. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes 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.
poland:
Used for temporary markings, such as during road works.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bosnia and herzegovina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
poland:
Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
poland:
Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
poland:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
poland:
Labeled 'BUS' on the road.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement.
poland:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 140 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bosnia and herzegovina:
30 km/h
poland:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
poland:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
poland:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
130 km/h
poland:
140 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
90 km/h
poland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, frequently used
poland:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation.
Signals
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Signals a change to green is imminent. |
| Use Of Indicators: Mandatory | Yes, for all turns and lane changes | Yes, for all turns and lane changes. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unreasonable use prohibited | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard | Polish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bosnia and herzegovina:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
poland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not used
poland:
Signals a change to green is imminent.
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes
poland:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bosnia and herzegovina:
Signal when exiting
poland:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Allowed
bosnia and herzegovina:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
poland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bosnia and herzegovina:
Unreasonable use prohibited
poland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines may apply for misuse
poland:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn other drivers of your presence
poland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not to be used to signal other messages
poland:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
poland:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
poland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard
poland:
Polish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
poland:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
bosnia and herzegovina:
Triangle-shaped with red border
poland:
Triangular with red border.
Turns
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Allowed only if a green arrow is present. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by a sign | Varies by location; check for signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
poland:
Allowed only if a green arrow is present.
Left Turn: General
bosnia and herzegovina:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
poland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
poland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed when not prohibited by a sign
poland:
Varies by location; check for signs.
Special Turn Lanes
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, marked with arrows
poland:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
bosnia and herzegovina:
Prohibited
poland:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Mandatory every year. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
bosnia and herzegovina:
Valid driver's license required
poland:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bosnia and herzegovina:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
poland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bosnia and herzegovina:
International Driving Permit recommended
poland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit.
Insurance
bosnia and herzegovina:
Liability insurance mandatory
poland:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory annual inspection
poland:
Mandatory every year.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bosnia and herzegovina:
Displayed on windshield
poland:
Displayed on windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
poland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
bosnia and herzegovina:
Discouraged, fines may apply
poland:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bosnia and herzegovina:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
poland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
bosnia and herzegovina:
Discouraged and may be penalized
poland:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
bosnia and herzegovina:
Only in emergency situations
poland:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bosnia and herzegovina:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
poland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
bosnia and herzegovina:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
poland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bosnia and herzegovina:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
poland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
bosnia and herzegovina:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
poland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used frequently. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines possible | Varies; can be substantial. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.03%
poland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.00%; zero tolerance
poland:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bosnia and herzegovina:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
poland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
bosnia and herzegovina:
Check if medication affects driving ability
poland:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
bosnia and herzegovina:
Common
poland:
Common; checkpoints used frequently.
Enforcement: Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Substantial fines possible
poland:
Varies; can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bosnia and herzegovina:
Possible for severe offenses
poland:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
bosnia and herzegovina:
Can result in license suspension and fines
poland:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
poland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
bosnia and herzegovina:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
poland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
bosnia and herzegovina:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
poland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
bosnia and herzegovina:
Signal right when preparing to exit
poland:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
bosnia and herzegovina:
Use for first exit or straight
poland:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
bosnia and herzegovina:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
poland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 997 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Usually provided by insurance | 981 or through your insurance provider. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Contact: Traffic Police
bosnia and herzegovina:
122
poland:
997
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually provided by insurance
poland:
981 or through your insurance provider.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | Mandatory, fines apply. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free | Fines apply for use without hands-free device. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | Fines and license points apply. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Rare; usually paid online or by mail. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; fines can be significant
poland:
Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles.
Common Fines: Alcohol
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
poland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply
poland:
Mandatory, fines apply.
Common Fines: Phone Use
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free
poland:
Fines apply for use without hands-free device.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines applicable
poland:
Fines and license points apply.
Payment: On The Spot
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, often required
poland:
Rare; usually paid online or by mail.
Payment: Deadline
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
poland:
Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Same as residents; must be paid
poland:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
bosnia and herzegovina:
Possible if fines are not paid
poland:
Possible if fines are not paid.