Driving in Bulgaria vs. Cambodia: Key Differences Explained
Driving in Bulgaria and Cambodia presents unique challenges and regulations that every traveler should understand. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane markings, and emergency services. While Bulgaria emphasizes structured lane use, Cambodia allows for more flexibility in turns. Familiarizing yourself with these variations is essential for ensuring a secure experience on the roads.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
cambodia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
cambodia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
cambodia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
cambodia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
cambodia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
bulgaria:
50 km/h
cambodia:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
cambodia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
cambodia:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
cambodia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
cambodia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
cambodia:
N/A
Signals
| Bulgaria | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Khmer and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
cambodia:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
cambodia:
Khmer and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
cambodia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bulgaria | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Varies, check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
cambodia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
cambodia:
Varies, check for signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
cambodia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
cambodia:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
cambodia:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
cambodia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use as means of communication |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
cambodia:
Frequent use as means of communication
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Strict and substantial |
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
cambodia:
0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
cambodia:
Strict and substantial
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
cambodia:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
cambodia:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
cambodia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Cambodia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; fines are substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Varies; penalties applied |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Varies; penalties applied |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Yes, on the spot payment |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified period |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
cambodia:
Varies; fines are substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
cambodia:
Yes, on the spot payment
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
cambodia:
Varies; typically within a specified period