Driving Differences: Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Serbia
When navigating the roads of Bosnia and Herzegovina or Serbia, understanding the nuances of each nation's traffic regulations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. This comparison reveals key distinctions in lane usage, speed limits, and penalties, highlighting the varied approaches to road safety in these neighboring countries.
Lanes
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| 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. |
Overtaking: On Right
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
serbia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement.
serbia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
serbia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 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 | Yes |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
serbia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
130 km/h
serbia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, frequently used
serbia:
Yes
Signals
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Serbia |
| 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 | Serbian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not used
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bosnia and herzegovina:
Unreasonable use prohibited
serbia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Headlight Flash: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn other drivers of your presence
serbia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Traffic Signs: Language
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Varies by city; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
serbia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed when not prohibited by a sign
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Mandatory periodic inspections |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bosnia and herzegovina:
International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory annual inspection
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Alcohol
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines possible | Substantial, varies by severity |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Enforcement: Random Checks
bosnia and herzegovina:
Common
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Substantial fines possible
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Test Refusal
bosnia and herzegovina:
Can result in license suspension and fines
serbia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Usually provided by insurance | 1987 |
Contact: Traffic Police
bosnia and herzegovina:
122
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually provided by insurance
serbia:
1987
Penalties And Fines
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; fines can be significant
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines applicable
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, often required
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay