Driving in Bulgaria vs. Chile: Key Differences Explored
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for a safe journey. This comparison between Bulgaria and Chile reveals significant contrasts in traffic laws, speed limits, and enforcement practices. Familiarize yourself with the unique driving customs of each nation to enhance your overall travel experience and ensure your well-being on the road.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
chile:
Marks the left edge on divided roads or separates oncoming traffic on two-way streets.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
chile:
Indicates passing or changing lanes is permitted when safe on two-way roads.
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
chile:
Prohibited unless on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
chile:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; can be used by private vehicles outside peak hours depending on local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
chile:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUSES EXCLUSIVO'; marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
chile:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bulgaria:
30 km/h
chile:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
chile:
100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
chile:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
chile:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
chile:
Common; fines may be paid directly to police or in designated locations
Signals
| Bulgaria | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in Chile |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
chile:
Not used in Chile
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bulgaria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
chile:
Excessive use discouraged, especially near hospitals and schools
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
chile:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
chile:
Triangle shaped with red border; some variations in colors
Turns
| Bulgaria | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
chile:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
chile:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Required annually |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
chile:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
chile:
Required annually
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
chile:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial penalties, including suspension of license |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
chile:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
chile:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
chile:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
chile:
Substantial penalties, including suspension of license
Roundabouts
| Bulgaria | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
bulgaria:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
chile:
Signal if turning upon entry
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 133 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 133 or 139 on mobile phones |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services |
Contact: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
chile:
133
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
chile:
133 or 139 on mobile phones
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
chile:
Check with your insurance provider or local assistance services
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Chile | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines for use without hands-free technology |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Significant fines, includes license suspension |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically short timeframe to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
chile:
Varies; high fines, includes license suspension possibilities
Common Fines: Alcohol
bulgaria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
chile:
Severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
chile:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
chile:
Fines for use without hands-free technology
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
chile:
Significant fines, includes license suspension
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
chile:
Sometimes possible; otherwise must be paid at designated locations
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
chile:
Varies; typically short timeframe to pay