Driving in Bulgaria vs. Kuwait: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Bulgaria and Kuwait, understanding the distinct driving regulations is essential for a safe journey. From speed limits to lane usage and alcohol penalties, each country presents unique rules. Notably, Bulgaria allows overtaking on multi-lane roads, while in Kuwait, such practices are less common, emphasizing the importance of being informed while traveling abroad.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not commonly practiced. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
kuwait:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
kuwait:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
kuwait:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 45-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 45 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
bulgaria:
50 km/h
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bulgaria:
30 km/h
kuwait:
45 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
kuwait:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
kuwait:
N/A
Signals
| Bulgaria | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic |
| 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
kuwait:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Prohibited unless signs allow |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Significant fines and legal consequences |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
kuwait:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
kuwait:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bulgaria:
Possible for severe offenses
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
kuwait:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Kuwait | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; may include points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Very severe penalties for any alcohol |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Fines and points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Yes, possible |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bulgaria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
kuwait:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
kuwait:
Yes, possible
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days