Driving in Bulgaria vs. Italy: Key Safety Differences
Explore the diverse driving landscapes of Bulgaria and Italy, where road regulations and practices vary significantly. Key takeaways reveal that Bulgaria employs solid and dashed yellow lane markings, while Italy leans on electronic speed limit signs. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey in these unique European destinations.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. |
| 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
italy:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
italy:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
italy:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bulgaria | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Used; prepare to go when green appears |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Italian; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
Turns
| Bulgaria | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on license plate |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
italy:
Displayed on license plate
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 113 (State Police) |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | 116 (ACI) |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
italy:
113 (State Police)
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
italy:
116 (ACI)
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Varies; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines apply, strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Fines apply, may include points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Possible, especially for foreign drivers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
italy:
Varies; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days