Driving in Bulgaria vs Lithuania: Key Safety Differences
When venturing into Bulgaria and Lithuania, understanding the nuances of their road regulations is crucial for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol thresholds. While both nations prioritize driver awareness, the specific rules can vary significantly, making this comparison essential for every traveler seeking to navigate their roads confidently.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Separation of opposing traffic directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Passing permitted with caution. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs. |
| 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.
lithuania:
Separation of opposing traffic directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
lithuania:
Passing permitted with caution.
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
lithuania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
lithuania:
Reserved for buses and taxis during peak hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
lithuania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'A'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
lithuania:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
lithuania:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, issued by police. |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
lithuania:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
lithuania:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
lithuania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
lithuania:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
lithuania:
Yes, issued by police.
Signals
| Bulgaria | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Indicates prepared to start |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Lithuanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
lithuania:
Indicates prepared to start
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bulgaria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
lithuania:
Unnecessary use discouraged
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
lithuania:
Lithuanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
lithuania:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
lithuania:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit not required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Mandatory annual check |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit not required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
lithuania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
lithuania:
Mandatory annual check
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bulgaria:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
lithuania:
Common practice
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.04% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, particularly at night and weekends |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial; varies based on BAC level |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in penalties and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
lithuania:
0.04%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
lithuania:
Common, particularly at night and weekends
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
lithuania:
Substantial; varies based on BAC level
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bulgaria:
Possible for severe offenses
lithuania:
Possible for high BAC levels or repeat offenses
Test Refusal
bulgaria:
Can result in license suspension
lithuania:
Results in penalties and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Contact your insurance provider |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
lithuania:
112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
lithuania:
Contact your insurance provider
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Lithuania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Mandatory, fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines apply, use of hands-free device required |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Yes, by police |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
lithuania:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
bulgaria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
lithuania:
High fines, possible license suspension or imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
lithuania:
Mandatory, fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
lithuania:
Fines apply, use of hands-free device required
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
lithuania:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
lithuania:
Yes, by police