Driving in Bulgaria vs. Philippines: Key Differences Revealed
Embarking on a journey in Bulgaria or the Philippines? It's crucial to understand their distinct road regulations to ensure a secure driving experience. From speed limits to overtaking rules, these two nations showcase notable variations. Familiarize yourself with their unique traffic norms and stay safe on your travels!
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
philippines:
Generally not allowed, except on one-way streets.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
philippines:
Reserved for buses and sometimes PUVs.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
philippines:
Labeled with signs; often separated by a bus lane barrier.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
philippines:
Shared with motorcycles or exclusive for bicycles.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
No
philippines:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
philippines:
Minimum two occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40 kph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 kph |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 kph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70 kph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 kph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 100 kph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 kph |
| Speed Units | km/h | kph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Less common; fines are usually issued later |
Urban Areas: Standard
bulgaria:
50 km/h
philippines:
40 kph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bulgaria:
30 km/h
philippines:
20 kph
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
philippines:
70 kph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
philippines:
50 kph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
philippines:
100 kph
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
philippines:
80 kph
Speed Units
bulgaria:
km/h
philippines:
kph
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
philippines:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
philippines:
Less common; fines are usually issued later
Signals
| Bulgaria | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | English and Filipino; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
philippines:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
philippines:
English and Filipino; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
philippines:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or white background
Turns
| Bulgaria | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Common, check for signs indicating restrictions |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
philippines:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
philippines:
Common, check for signs indicating restrictions
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Required for registration; certificate must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
philippines:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
bulgaria:
Liability insurance mandatory
philippines:
Compulsory third-party liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
philippines:
Required for registration; certificate must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
philippines:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
philippines:
Frequent use in urban areas to alert other road users
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Severe for violations, may include imprisonment |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
philippines:
0.05%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
philippines:
Common during checkpoints, especially on holidays
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
philippines:
Severe for violations, may include imprisonment
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 117 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider or AAA |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
philippines:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
philippines:
117
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
philippines:
Check with your insurance provider or AAA
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
philippines:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Philippines | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | PHP 300 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | PHP 1000 to PHP 5000 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | PHP 1000 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
philippines:
Varies; typically ranges from PHP 1000 to PHP 2000
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
philippines:
PHP 300
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
philippines:
PHP 1000 to PHP 5000
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
philippines:
PHP 1000
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
philippines:
Less common; typically done through authorized payment centers
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
philippines:
Varies; usually within 15 days upon issuance