Driving Differences: Bulgaria vs. Maldives
Discover the unique driving environments of Bulgaria and the Maldives! From lane regulations and speed limits to traffic signals and penalties, this comparison highlights essential distinctions. While Bulgaria adheres to right-side driving and higher speed limits, the Maldives emphasizes caution with left-side travel and stricter alcohol regulations. Stay informed for a safer journey!
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, when safe and legal. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May be designated with road signs or markings. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Minimal |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Usually not specifically marked in many areas. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
Driving Side
bulgaria:
Right
maldives:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
maldives:
Used in certain situations, traditionally marks the center of the road where crossing is prohibited.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
maldives:
Often used on the edge of the road or for other specific purposes in the Maldives.
Overtaking: On Left
bulgaria:
Yes
maldives:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
maldives:
Yes, when safe and legal.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bulgaria:
Use rightmost lane.
maldives:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
maldives:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
maldives:
Reserved primarily for buses; check local regulations.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
maldives:
May be designated with road signs or markings.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
maldives:
Minimal
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
maldives:
Cyclists generally use the main road where space permits.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
maldives:
Usually not specifically marked in many areas.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 25 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not applicable |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common |
Urban Areas: Standard
bulgaria:
50 km/h
maldives:
30 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bulgaria:
30 km/h
maldives:
25 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
maldives:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
maldives:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
maldives:
Not applicable
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
maldives:
Common
Signals
| Bulgaria | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not commonly used in Maldives |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Country-specific shapes and colors |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
maldives:
Not commonly used in Maldives
Horn Usage: Allowed
bulgaria:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
maldives:
Allowed, but discouraged for non-emergencies
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
maldives:
Dhivehi and English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
maldives:
Country-specific shapes and colors
Turns
| Bulgaria | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed unless signed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Limited, mainly at main intersections |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
maldives:
Not allowed unless signed
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
maldives:
Typically allowed unless otherwise indicated
Special Turn Lanes
bulgaria:
Yes, marked with arrows
maldives:
Limited, mainly at main intersections
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Periodic checks required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Usually 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
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
maldives:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
maldives:
Periodic checks required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
maldives:
Usually displayed on the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bulgaria:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
maldives:
Common practice
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bulgaria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
maldives:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Less common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Fines can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
maldives:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
maldives:
Less common
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
maldives:
Fines can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bulgaria | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Appropriate lanes as per signage |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Appropriate lanes as per signage |
Lane Usage: Right
bulgaria:
Use for first exit or straight
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Lane Usage: Left
bulgaria:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
maldives:
Appropriate lanes as per signage
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | Contact local police for traffic issues |
| 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: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
maldives:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
maldives:
Contact local police for traffic issues
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
maldives:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
maldives:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; fines start from MVR 750 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe penalties including license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Fines apply for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines for 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 for minor offenses |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within a specified time |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
maldives:
Varies; fines start from MVR 750
Common Fines: Alcohol
bulgaria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
maldives:
Severe penalties including license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
maldives:
Fines apply for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
maldives:
Fines for use without hands-free
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
maldives:
Substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
maldives:
Possible for minor offenses
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
maldives:
Varies; typically within a specified time