Driving Differences Between Bulgaria and France Explained
When comparing the road regulations of Bulgaria and France, key distinctions emerge that can significantly impact your travel experience. From varying speed limits to unique lane markings, understanding these nuances is essential for safe navigation. Explore how driving norms differ in these two countries to ensure a secure journey abroad.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| 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.
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 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 | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
france:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
france:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
france:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
france:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bulgaria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in France |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
france:
Not used in France
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bulgaria:
Signal when exiting
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bulgaria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
france:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
france:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
france:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits |
| 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, an MOT style test is required periodically |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory in vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
france:
Accepted for short visits
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
france:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bulgaria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
france:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
france:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bulgaria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering if turning right |
Signaling: Entering
bulgaria:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 17 or through local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
france:
17 or through local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | €135 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | €135 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | €135 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 45 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
Common Fines: Alcohol
bulgaria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
france:
€135
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
france:
€135
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
france:
€135
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay