Driving in Bulgaria vs. Croatia: Key Differences Uncovered
Discover the essential contrasts in driving regulations between Bulgaria and Croatia, ensuring a safer journey in either country. From speed limits to the usage of bus lanes, understanding these nuances can significantly impact your road experience. Learn how these nations differ in their traffic laws and vehicle documentation requirements to navigate confidently abroad.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not commonly practiced. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
croatia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
croatia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
croatia:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
croatia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
croatia:
90 km/h
Signals
| Bulgaria | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Croatian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
croatia:
Not used
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bulgaria:
Signal when exiting
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
croatia:
Triangle with red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
croatia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens |
| 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 | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
croatia:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
croatia:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
croatia:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
croatia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 92 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | 188 or check with your insurance provider |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
croatia:
92
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Croatia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; significant fines possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines enforced |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Significant fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Yes, often |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; stated at the time of fine |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
croatia:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
croatia:
Fines enforced
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
croatia:
Significant fines
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
croatia:
Yes, often
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine