Driving in Bulgaria vs. Lebanon: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Bulgaria and Lebanon, drivers encounter significant variations in regulations and practices. From speed limits and lane markings to vehicle documentation requirements, understanding these distinctions is vital for ensuring safe travels. Explore the key contrasts that could impact your driving experience in these two unique countries.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used as a separation line in some areas. |
| 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 | 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
lebanon:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
lebanon:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
lebanon:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
lebanon:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
lebanon:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
lebanon:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 80-100 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: Standard
bulgaria:
50 km/h
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bulgaria:
30 km/h
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
lebanon:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
lebanon:
N/A
Signals
| Bulgaria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in Lebanon |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bulgaria:
Signal when exiting
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bulgaria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Bulgaria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| 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 | Yes, 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: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bulgaria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common through checkpoints |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial for violations |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
lebanon:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
lebanon:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
Roundabouts
| Bulgaria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal when preparing to enter |
Signaling: Entering
bulgaria:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Varies; consult your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
lebanon:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
lebanon:
Not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Lebanon | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; may lead to substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Fines and potential incarceration |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Possible; often paid at stations |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Usually within 15-30 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
bulgaria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
lebanon:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days