Driving Differences: Bulgaria vs. China Safety Insights
Discover the intriguing contrasts between Bulgaria and China when it comes to road rules and regulations. From speed limits to lane usage, each country showcases unique practices and traffic norms. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure and efficient driving experience while exploring foreign landscapes.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Separates directions on multi-lane roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed in certain cases; check local rules. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3] | Pedestrian crossings | Railroad crossings |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use rightmost lane if possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
china:
Separates directions on multi-lane roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
china:
Marks centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
china:
Allowed in certain cases; check local rules.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bulgaria:
List length: 5
china:
List length: 4
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 3]
bulgaria:
Pedestrian crossings
china:
Railroad crossings
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bulgaria:
Use rightmost lane.
china:
Use rightmost lane if possible.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
china:
Reserved for buses; other vehicles during off-peak hours in some places.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
china:
Labeled with lane signs and often painted lanes.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
china:
Exclusive for bicycles and electric bikes.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
china:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes different texture or color.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
No
china:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
china:
Usually for vehicles with two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-100 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 | Yes, especially in urban areas |
Urban Areas: Standard
bulgaria:
50 km/h
china:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
china:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
china:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
china:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
china:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
china:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
china:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
china:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
china:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
china:
Yes, especially in urban areas
Signals
| Bulgaria | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in China |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Chinese; symbols also used |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular shape with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
china:
Not used in China
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bulgaria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
china:
Restricted in some urban areas to reduce noise pollution
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
china:
Chinese; symbols also used
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
china:
Triangular shape with red borders
Turns
| Bulgaria | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
china:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign; varies by locality
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
china:
Allowed unless prohibition is indicated by road signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid Chinese driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required for short visits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Requirement
bulgaria:
Valid driver's license required
china:
Valid Chinese driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
china:
International Driving Permit required for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
china:
International Driving Permit and temporary Chinese license usually required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
china:
Yes, periodic inspection required for vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
china:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
china:
Frequent use in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bulgaria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
china:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially near bars and clubs |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Severe fines, license suspension possible |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and legal penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
china:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
china:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
china:
Common, especially near bars and clubs
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
china:
Severe fines, license suspension possible
Test Refusal
bulgaria:
Can result in license suspension
china:
Can result in license suspension and legal penalties
Roundabouts
| Bulgaria | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight ahead |
Lane Usage: Right
bulgaria:
Use for first exit or straight
china:
Use for first exit or straight ahead
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 110 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | Same as general emergency; 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
china:
110
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
china:
Same as general emergency; 110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
china:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
china:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | China | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | ¥50 to ¥200 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines and points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Possible; fines often paid online or at banks |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
china:
Varies; ¥200 to ¥2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
china:
¥50 to ¥200
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
china:
Fines and points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
china:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
china:
Possible; fines often paid online or at banks
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
china:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay