Driving in Bulgaria vs. Romania: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Bulgaria and Romania, understanding the nuances of their driving regulations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol restrictions, which can significantly impact your travel experience. Equip yourself with this vital knowledge to drive confidently and responsibly in both countries.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
romania:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common practice |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
romania:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in Romania |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bulgaria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
romania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use expected |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
romania:
Moderate use expected
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Considerable fines for offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
bulgaria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
bulgaria:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist