Driving in Bulgaria vs. Norway: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Bulgaria and Norway, understanding key distinctions in regulations and practices is essential for ensuring a secure driving experience. From speed limits and overtaking rules to alcohol tolerance levels, this comparison highlights vital variations that every traveler should be aware of before hitting the road in these two unique countries.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not standard in Norway. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
norway:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
No
norway:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
Urban Areas: Standard
bulgaria:
50 km/h
norway:
30-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
norway:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
norway:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
norway:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
norway:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Bulgaria | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in Norway |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
norway:
Not used in Norway
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
norway:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with a national driving license |
| 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 | Yes, periodic inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | None |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
norway:
None
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | High fines and possible license revocation |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
norway:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 02800 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider or NAF |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
norway:
02800
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
norway:
Recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Norway | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | 1500 NOK |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | 1700 NOK |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Yes, typically required |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bulgaria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
norway:
1500 NOK
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
norway:
1700 NOK
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
norway:
Yes, typically required