Bulgaria vs Estonia: Driving Differences Explored
When venturing into Bulgaria and Estonia, understanding the distinct road regulations is essential for ensuring a secure journey. Notably, Bulgaria boasts higher speed limits on highways, whereas Estonia enforces stricter alcohol limits. Additionally, signage and driving practices vary significantly, highlighting the importance of being well-informed before hitting the road in either country.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
estonia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
estonia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 110 km/h (summer period: May to October) |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
estonia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
estonia:
110 km/h (summer period: May to October)
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
estonia:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
estonia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
estonia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Bulgaria | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1] | Amber | Yellow |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in Estonia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Estonian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Standard Sequence[ Index 1]
bulgaria:
Amber
estonia:
Yellow
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
estonia:
Not used in Estonia
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
estonia:
Estonian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
estonia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bulgaria | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Prohibited unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
estonia:
Prohibited unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
estonia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 every year; proof must be carried |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
estonia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
estonia:
Required every year; proof must be carried
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
estonia:
Displayed on the windshield
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
estonia:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
estonia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
estonia:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
estonia:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
estonia:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Estonia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; substantial fines apply |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines apply, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Fines apply, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
estonia:
Varies; substantial fines apply
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
estonia:
Fines apply, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
estonia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
estonia:
Varies; typically must pay within specified period to avoid additional penalties