Driving Differences: Bulgaria vs Kazakhstan Explained
When comparing the driving landscapes of Bulgaria and Kazakhstan, notable distinctions emerge. From speed limits to lane usage, each country presents unique regulations that influence road safety. This insightful analysis will help travelers navigate unfamiliar territories while ensuring a secure experience behind the wheel. Discover the essential contrasts between these two nations for a smoother journey.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs and road markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Varies by region |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
kazakhstan:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
kazakhstan:
Labeled with specific signs and road markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
kazakhstan:
Varies by region
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kazakhstan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kazakhstan:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
Urban Areas: Standard
bulgaria:
50 km/h
kazakhstan:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bulgaria:
30 km/h
kazakhstan:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
kazakhstan:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
kazakhstan:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
kazakhstan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
kazakhstan:
90 km/h
Signals
| Bulgaria | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in Kazakhstan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
kazakhstan:
Not used in Kazakhstan
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
kazakhstan:
Kazakh and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
kazakhstan:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
kazakhstan:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Mandatory annual vehicle inspection |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
kazakhstan:
Accepted; International Driving Permit may be recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
kazakhstan:
Mandatory annual vehicle inspection
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
kazakhstan:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
kazakhstan:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
kazakhstan:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
kazakhstan:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | Call 102 |
| 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: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
kazakhstan:
Call 102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
kazakhstan:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
kazakhstan:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Kazakhstan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Fines apply for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines apply for handheld use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
kazakhstan:
Varies; can be up to several hundred USD equivalent
Common Fines: Alcohol
bulgaria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
kazakhstan:
Fines apply for handheld use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
kazakhstan:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
kazakhstan:
Possible; fines can also be paid online or via banks