Driving in Bulgaria vs. Monaco: Key Differences Explained
When embarking on a journey through Bulgaria or Monaco, understanding the distinct driving regulations is essential for ensuring a secure experience on the road. Key contrasts include lane markings, speed limits, and traffic signal rules, which vary widely between these two countries. Equip yourself with this knowledge to navigate safely and confidently abroad.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used in Monaco. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed if traffic conditions permit. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mostly on main roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Predominantly for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled ‘BUS’. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with small vehicles or buses. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Standard speed limits apply |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
monaco:
Not commonly used in Monaco.
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
monaco:
Allowed if traffic conditions permit.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
monaco:
Limited, mostly on main roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
monaco:
Predominantly for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
monaco:
Labeled ‘BUS’.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
monaco:
Limited
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
monaco:
Shared with small vehicles or buses.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
monaco:
Bicycle symbols or shared lane markings.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
monaco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | N/A |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Standard speed limits apply |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Common for traffic violations |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
monaco:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
monaco:
Standard speed limits apply
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
monaco:
Common for traffic violations
Signals
| Bulgaria | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Rare in Monaco, usually not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bulgaria:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
monaco:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
monaco:
Rare in Monaco, usually not used
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
monaco:
French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
monaco:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Permitted where indicated; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
monaco:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
monaco:
Permitted where indicated; check for signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Required annually; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the vehicle windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
monaco:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
monaco:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
monaco:
Required annually; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
monaco:
Displayed on the vehicle windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
monaco:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Can be substantial; varies by severity |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
monaco:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
monaco:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
monaco:
Can be substantial; varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 18 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | Local police also available on 911 using GSM |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Available through service providers or insurance |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
monaco:
112 or 18
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
monaco:
Local police also available on 911 using GSM
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
monaco:
Available through service providers or insurance
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
monaco:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Monaco | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; fines are substantial |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Fine applies if not used |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Substantial fines issued |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | High fines, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Possible; varies |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically must be settled soon |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
monaco:
Varies; fines are substantial
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
monaco:
Fine applies if not used
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
monaco:
Substantial fines issued
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
monaco:
High fines, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
monaco:
Possible; varies
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
monaco:
Varies; typically must be settled soon