Driving in Bulgaria vs. Madagascar: Key Safety Differences
Driving in Bulgaria versus Madagascar presents unique contrasts that every traveler should be aware of. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane etiquette, and alcohol regulations. While Bulgaria enforces stricter speed control measures, Madagascar's driving culture emphasizes caution in urban areas. Understanding these nuances is essential for ensuring a secure journey in both nations.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically not used. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not recommended; local conditions may vary. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Stay to the right lane when possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Available mainly in urban areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved mostly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May be marked clearly in major cities. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Sparse |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with vehicles unless marked. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| Lane Change: Signal Mandatory | Yes | Yes, when possible. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits are fixed. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
madagascar:
Typically not used.
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
madagascar:
Not recommended; local conditions may vary.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bulgaria:
Use rightmost lane.
madagascar:
Stay to the right lane when possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
madagascar:
Available mainly in urban areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
madagascar:
Reserved mostly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
madagascar:
May be marked clearly in major cities.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
madagascar:
Sparse
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
madagascar:
Shared with vehicles unless marked.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
madagascar:
N/A
Lane Change: Signal Mandatory
bulgaria:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, when possible.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
madagascar:
Speed limits are fixed.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 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 | 80-100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, particularly in urban areas. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bulgaria:
30 km/h
madagascar:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
madagascar:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
madagascar:
80-100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
madagascar:
Not applicable
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bulgaria:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, particularly in urban areas.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
madagascar:
Yes, common.
Signals
| Bulgaria | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not commonly used |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Excessive use discouraged |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | May apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers or signal overtaking |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Occasionally used, especially in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | French and Malagasy |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular signs with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
madagascar:
Not commonly used
Horn Usage: Allowed
bulgaria:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
madagascar:
Yes, often used in crowded areas for signaling
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bulgaria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
madagascar:
Excessive use discouraged
Horn Usage: Penalties
bulgaria:
Fines may apply for misuse
madagascar:
May apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
bulgaria:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
madagascar:
To warn other drivers or signal overtaking
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bulgaria:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
madagascar:
Occasionally used, especially in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
madagascar:
French and Malagasy
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
madagascar:
Triangular signs with red borders
Turns
| Bulgaria | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Prohibited unless specified otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
madagascar:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
madagascar:
Prohibited unless specified otherwise
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Mandatory for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Indication may vary |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
madagascar:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
madagascar:
Mandatory for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
madagascar:
Indication may vary
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Use is more frequent in urban areas |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Significantly used for communication with other drivers |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bulgaria:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
madagascar:
Common practice, particularly in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Limited
bulgaria:
Only in emergency situations
madagascar:
Use is more frequent in urban areas
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
madagascar:
Significantly used for communication with other drivers
Pedestrians Priority
bulgaria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
madagascar:
Pedestrians have right of way at designated crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bulgaria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
madagascar:
Pull over to the side if necessary
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common in urban areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Results in penalties |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.08%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
madagascar:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
madagascar:
Common in urban areas
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
madagascar:
Can be substantial
Test Refusal
bulgaria:
Can result in license suspension
madagascar:
Results in penalties
Roundabouts
| Bulgaria | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Not commonly practiced |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
bulgaria:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
madagascar:
Not commonly practiced
Signaling: Exiting
bulgaria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
madagascar:
Recommended to signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 117 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | Could vary; commonly police contact |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Varies by provider, public services might be limited |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
madagascar:
117
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
madagascar:
Could vary; commonly police contact
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
madagascar:
Varies by provider, public services might be limited
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
madagascar:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Madagascar | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Fines applicable for non-use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines applicable for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Monetary fines applied |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Common for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Determined by issuing authority |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
madagascar:
Varies; typically warning first, then monetary fines
Common Fines: Alcohol
bulgaria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
madagascar:
Substantial fines, potential imprisonment for high levels
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
madagascar:
Fines applicable for non-use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
madagascar:
Fines applicable for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
madagascar:
Monetary fines applied
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
madagascar:
Common for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
madagascar:
Determined by issuing authority