Driving in Bulgaria vs Poland: Key Differences Explained
Bulgaria and Poland present unique driving regulations that every traveler should know. From speed limits and lane usage to traffic signals and penalties, these crucial distinctions can significantly impact road safety abroad. Understanding these variances is essential for a smooth and secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for temporary markings, such as during road works. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' on the road. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| 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.
poland:
Used for temporary markings, such as during road works.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
poland:
Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
poland:
Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
poland:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
poland:
Labeled 'BUS' on the road.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
poland:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 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. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bulgaria:
30 km/h
poland:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
poland:
70 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
poland:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
poland:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
poland:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation.
Signals
| Bulgaria | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Signals a change to green is imminent. |
| Use Of Indicators: Mandatory | Yes, for all turns and lane changes | Yes, for all turns and lane changes. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when exiting. |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Polish; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bulgaria:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
poland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
poland:
Signals a change to green is imminent.
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory
bulgaria:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes
poland:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bulgaria:
Signal when exiting
poland:
Signal when exiting.
Horn Usage: Allowed
bulgaria:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
poland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bulgaria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
poland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
Horn Usage: Penalties
bulgaria:
Fines may apply for misuse
poland:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
bulgaria:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
poland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bulgaria:
Not to be used to signal other messages
poland:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
bulgaria:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
poland:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bulgaria:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
poland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
poland:
Polish; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
bulgaria:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
poland:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
poland:
Triangular with red border.
Turns
| Bulgaria | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Allowed only if a green arrow is present. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Varies by location; check for signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
poland:
Allowed only if a green arrow is present.
Left Turn: General
bulgaria:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
poland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
bulgaria:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
poland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
poland:
Varies by location; check for signs.
Special Turn Lanes
bulgaria:
Yes, marked with arrows
poland:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
bulgaria:
Prohibited
poland:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| 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 with International Driving Permit. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Mandatory every year. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
bulgaria:
Valid driver's license required
poland:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
poland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
poland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit.
Insurance
bulgaria:
Liability insurance mandatory
poland:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
poland:
Mandatory every year.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
poland:
Displayed on windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bulgaria:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
poland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
bulgaria:
Discouraged, fines may apply
poland:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bulgaria:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
poland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
bulgaria:
Discouraged and may be penalized
poland:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
bulgaria:
Only in emergency situations
poland:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
poland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
bulgaria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
poland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bulgaria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
poland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
bulgaria:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
poland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.02% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used frequently. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
poland:
0.02%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bulgaria:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
poland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
bulgaria:
Check if medication affects driving ability
poland:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
poland:
Common; checkpoints used frequently.
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
poland:
Varies; can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bulgaria:
Possible for severe offenses
poland:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
bulgaria:
Can result in license suspension
poland:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Bulgaria | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
bulgaria:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
poland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
bulgaria:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
poland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
bulgaria:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
poland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
bulgaria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
poland:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
bulgaria:
Use for first exit or straight
poland:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
bulgaria:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
poland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 997 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | 981 or through your insurance provider. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
poland:
997
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
poland:
981 or through your insurance provider.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
poland:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Poland | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Mandatory, fines apply. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines apply for use without hands-free device. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Fines and license points apply. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Rare; usually paid online or by mail. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
poland:
Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles.
Common Fines: Alcohol
bulgaria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
poland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
poland:
Mandatory, fines apply.
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
poland:
Fines apply for use without hands-free device.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
poland:
Fines and license points apply.
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
poland:
Rare; usually paid online or by mail.
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
poland:
Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
bulgaria:
Same as residents; must be paid
poland:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
bulgaria:
Possible if fines are not paid
poland:
Possible if fines are not paid.