Driving in Bulgaria vs. Cyprus: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Bulgaria and Cyprus, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices. Key differences include driving on the right in Bulgaria versus the left in Cyprus, as well as varying speed limits and traffic signaling protocols. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the edge of the road. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Usually reserved for public transport. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled; specific signs indicate usage. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bulgaria:
Right
cyprus:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
cyprus:
Marks the edge of the road.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
cyprus:
May not be commonly used; other markings guide traffic
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
cyprus:
Prohibited.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bulgaria:
Use rightmost lane.
cyprus:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
cyprus:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
cyprus:
Usually reserved for public transport.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
cyprus:
Labeled; specific signs indicate usage.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
cyprus:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
cyprus:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
cyprus:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bulgaria:
30 km/h
cyprus:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
cyprus:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
cyprus:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
cyprus:
N/A
Signals
| Bulgaria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in Cyprus |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Greek and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
cyprus:
Not used in Cyprus
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bulgaria:
Signal when exiting
cyprus:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
cyprus:
Greek and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
cyprus:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
cyprus:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
cyprus:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits without additional permits |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
cyprus:
Accepted for short visits without additional permits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
cyprus:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
cyprus:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
cyprus:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bulgaria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
cyprus:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used routinely |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial and strict |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
cyprus:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
cyprus:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
cyprus:
Common; checkpoints used routinely
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
cyprus:
Substantial and strict
Roundabouts
| Bulgaria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately |
Signaling: Entering
bulgaria:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
cyprus:
Signal when entering and intending to exit immediately
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
cyprus:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
cyprus:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
cyprus:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Cyprus | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; can be substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Strict enforcement, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Substantial fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| 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
cyprus:
Varies; can be substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
cyprus:
Strict enforcement
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
cyprus:
Strict enforcement, fines apply
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
cyprus:
Substantial fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
cyprus:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
cyprus:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay