Driving Differences: Bulgaria vs. Ireland Explained
When comparing the driving norms between Bulgaria and Ireland, travelers must navigate notable variations that influence safety on the roads. Key distinctions include the side of the road each country mandates for travel, speed limits, and specific traffic signal regulations. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No, overtake on the right. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, standard overtaking side. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bulgaria:
Right
ireland:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
bulgaria:
Yes
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bulgaria:
Use rightmost lane.
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
ireland:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
ireland:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
ireland:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
ireland:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
ireland:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
Signals
| Bulgaria | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Indicates the light is about to turn green. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangles with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bulgaria:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bulgaria:
Signal when exiting
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bulgaria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
Turns
| Bulgaria | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
ireland:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
ireland:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bulgaria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Random breath testing is common. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
ireland:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
ireland:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 112 or 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Required |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
ireland:
112 or 999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
ireland:
Required
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | €60 fine and two penalty points |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | €60 fine and three penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | €80 and three penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot