Driving Differences: Bulgaria vs. Russia Explained
When navigating the roads of Bulgaria and Russia, understanding the essential contrasts in traffic regulations is vital for a secure journey. Key distinctions include varying speed limits, lane markings, and alcohol limits. This comparison highlights how these differences shape the driving experience and enhance overall road safety in each nation.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. |
| 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.
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
russia:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 90 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 | Yes; but fines are also mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
bulgaria:
50 km/h
russia:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bulgaria:
30 km/h
russia:
20 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
russia:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
russia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
russia:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
russia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
russia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
russia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
Signals
| Bulgaria | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in Russia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Russian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
russia:
Not used in Russia
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bulgaria | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Usually indicated in vehicle documents |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.035% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially in cities |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
russia:
0.035%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
russia:
Common, especially in cities
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | Check local numbers; 113 is common |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Russia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines apply, points in the record |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Fines apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
russia:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
russia:
Fines apply
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay