Driving in Bulgaria vs. Guatemala: Key Safety Differences
Bulgaria and Guatemala present distinct driving landscapes that every traveler should understand for a safer journey. Key disparities include speed limits, lane regulations, and traffic enforcement methods. While Bulgaria features dedicated bus and cycle lanes, Guatemala relies more on shared road spaces. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will enhance your driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles in some areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Varies by location. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Bus Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
guatemala:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
guatemala:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
guatemala:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
guatemala:
Varies by location.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Limited use |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
bulgaria:
50 km/h
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
guatemala:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
guatemala:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
guatemala:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
guatemala:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
guatemala:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bulgaria:
Yes
guatemala:
Limited use
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Bulgaria | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in Guatemala |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Spanish; 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
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
guatemala:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Varies, check local signs for permission |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Varies by location; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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 | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially at night |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies by locality; can be substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 122 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 110 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider |
Contact: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
guatemala:
122
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
guatemala:
110
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Guatemala | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines imposed |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Yes, often required |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; check with local authorities |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
guatemala:
Fines imposed
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
guatemala:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
guatemala:
Yes, often required
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities