Driving in Bulgaria vs. Israel: Key Safety Differences
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of driving regulations is essential for safety. This comparison between Bulgaria and Israel reveals significant distinctions, such as overtaking rules and speed limits. Notably, Bulgaria permits right-side overtaking, while Israel enforces stricter bus lane usage. Discover more to ensure a secure journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left. |
| 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
israel:
Prohibited except for special circumstances like overtaking a vehicle that is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
israel:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
israel:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
israel:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| 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 |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
israel:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
israel:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
israel:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
israel:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
israel:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Bulgaria | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Used before green light. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
israel:
Used before green light.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bulgaria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
israel:
Unnecessary use prohibited; local ordinances apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
israel:
Hebrew, Arabic, English; symbols are international
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
israel:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Prohibited unless a sign permits |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Varies; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
israel:
Prohibited unless a sign permits
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
israel:
Varies; check for signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Annual inspection required; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| 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
israel:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
israel:
Annual inspection required; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
israel:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
israel:
Not mandatory but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
israel:
Moderate use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.01% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial fines, varies depending on offense |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
israel:
0.01%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
israel:
0.01%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
israel:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
israel:
Substantial fines, varies depending on offense
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 100 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | Check local numbers |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
israel:
100
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
israel:
Check local numbers
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
israel:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
israel:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Israel | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Fines issued, points possible |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines issued, usually high, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Fines issued, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
israel:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bulgaria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
israel:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
israel:
Fines issued, points possible
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
israel:
Fines issued, usually high, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
israel:
Fines issued, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
israel:
Possible in some cases; usually paid online or by mail