Driving in Bulgaria vs. Iceland: Key Differences Explained
The driving landscape in Bulgaria and Iceland presents unique distinctions that are crucial for safe travels. From varying speed limits—90 km/h in Bulgaria versus 80 km/h on gravel roads in Iceland—to the regulations surrounding bus lanes, understanding these contrasts ensures a secure experience on foreign roads. Explore these vital driving nuances to enhance your safety abroad.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
bulgaria:
List length: 5
iceland:
List length: 4
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
iceland:
Reserved for buses; usage by taxis is sometimes permitted.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
iceland:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h on gravel roads |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h on paved roads |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80 km/h on paved roads |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on gravel roads
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h on paved roads
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h on paved roads
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
iceland:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
iceland:
80 km/h
Signals
| Bulgaria | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | N/A |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | N/A |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | N/A |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Icelandic; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
iceland:
N/A
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bulgaria:
Signal when exiting
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Penalties
bulgaria:
Fines may apply for misuse
iceland:
N/A
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bulgaria:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
iceland:
N/A
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
iceland:
Icelandic; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
iceland:
Triangular with red borders
Turns
| Bulgaria | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
iceland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
iceland:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
iceland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
iceland:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
iceland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
iceland:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial penalties can apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
iceland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
iceland:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
iceland:
Common
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
iceland:
Substantial penalties can apply
Test Refusal
bulgaria:
Can result in license suspension
iceland:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Roundabouts
| Bulgaria | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
bulgaria:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
iceland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Signaling: Exiting
bulgaria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
iceland:
Signal when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | National Police number 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Contact local towing services or insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
iceland:
National Police number 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
iceland:
Contact local towing services or insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
iceland:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Mandatory; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines if found using without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
iceland:
Varies; fines can be substantial depending on the offense
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
iceland:
Mandatory; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
iceland:
Fines if found using without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
iceland:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
iceland:
Possible; fines often need to be paid promptly
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
iceland:
Varies; typically must be paid within specific time frame