Driving in Bulgaria vs. Germany: Key Differences Explained
Discover the essential distinctions in road regulations and driving customs between Bulgaria and Germany. From speed limits and lane markings to the protocols for emergency vehicles, our comprehensive comparison highlights the crucial aspects of ensuring a safe journey in each country. Prepare for your travels by understanding these vital driving nuances.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| 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.
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
germany:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
germany:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum |
| 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 | Common |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
germany:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
germany:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
germany:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
germany:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
germany:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
germany:
Common
Signals
| Bulgaria | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Indicates the light is about to change to green |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | German; 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
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
germany:
German; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Mandatory, every 2 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on rear license plate |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Move to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bulgaria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Can be substantial, varies by offense |
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
germany:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
germany:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Germany | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | €30 to €60 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | €90 to €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
germany:
€30 to €60
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
germany:
€100, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
germany:
Common
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay