Driving in Bulgaria vs. Kenya: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Bulgaria and Kenya, understanding the distinct regulations and practices can enhance your travel experience significantly. From varying speed limits and overtaking rules to unique road signage, this comparison highlights essential contrasts that ensure safe and enjoyable motoring abroad. Prepare to drive wisely in these two diverse nations!
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, allow passing on the right. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
bulgaria:
Right
kenya:
Left
Overtaking: On Left
bulgaria:
Yes
kenya:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
kenya:
Yes, allow passing on the right.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bulgaria:
Use rightmost lane.
kenya:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
kenya:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
kenya:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
kenya:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
kenya:
Yes, in some areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
kenya:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
kenya:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bulgaria:
30 km/h
kenya:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
kenya:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
kenya:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
kenya:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
kenya:
N/A
Signals
| Bulgaria | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in Kenya |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
kenya:
Not used in Kenya
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
kenya:
English and Kiswahili; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
kenya:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bulgaria | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
kenya:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
kenya:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
kenya:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
kenya:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
kenya:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
kenya:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
kenya:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Less common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
kenya:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
kenya:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
kenya:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
kenya:
Less common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
kenya:
Varies; can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bulgaria | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or adjacent exits |
Signaling: Exiting
bulgaria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
kenya:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
bulgaria:
Use for first exit or straight
kenya:
Use for first exit or adjacent exits
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 999 or 911 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
kenya:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
kenya:
999 or 911
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
kenya:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Kenya
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
kenya:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Kenya | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | KES 500 to KES 2,000 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | KES 2,000 to KES 10,000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | KES 10,000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
kenya:
Varies; approximately KES 10,000 to KES 20,000
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
kenya:
KES 500 to KES 2,000
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
kenya:
KES 2,000 to KES 10,000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
kenya:
KES 10,000
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
kenya:
Possible; fines often paid via mobile money systems