Driving Differences: Bulgaria vs. Serbia Explained
When it comes to navigating the roads of Bulgaria and Serbia, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that can significantly impact their travel experience. Key differences include speed limits, alcohol tolerance, and lane usage. Understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey while exploring these fascinating countries.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
serbia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
serbia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 120 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 |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
serbia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
serbia:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Bulgaria | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in Serbia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Serbian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
serbia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Varies by city; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
serbia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
| 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 | Mandatory periodic inspections |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
serbia:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial, varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
serbia:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
serbia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | 1987 |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
serbia:
1987
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bulgaria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay