Driving Differences: Bulgaria vs. Singapore Explained
When exploring the roads of Bulgaria and Singapore, drivers encounter significant contrasts in regulations and practices. From lane usage and speed limits to penalties and emergency protocols, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey. Discover how these two nations prioritize road safety in their unique ways.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not allowed. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses during peak hours. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bulgaria:
Right
singapore:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
singapore:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
singapore:
Not allowed.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bulgaria:
Use rightmost lane.
singapore:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
singapore:
Reserved for buses during peak hours.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-90 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bulgaria:
30 km/h
singapore:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
singapore:
70-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
singapore:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
singapore:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
singapore:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
singapore:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Bulgaria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in Singapore |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | English; 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
singapore:
Not used in Singapore
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
singapore:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
singapore:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bulgaria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
singapore:
Not allowed.
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
singapore:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Display not required |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| 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
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
singapore:
International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
singapore:
Compulsory every 1-2 years depending on vehicle age
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
singapore:
Display not required
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bulgaria:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
singapore:
To warn of hazards or a vehicle breakdown
Pedestrians Priority
bulgaria:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
singapore:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks and pedestrian zones
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bulgaria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
singapore:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
singapore:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
singapore:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 995 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 999 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
singapore:
995
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
singapore:
999
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
singapore:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Singapore
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
singapore:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Singapore | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; significant fines, demerit points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | $120, demerit points for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | $200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | $200 to $500, demerit points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 14 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
singapore:
Varies; significant fines, demerit points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
singapore:
$120, demerit points for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
singapore:
$200 to $1,000, demerit points for hand-held use
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
singapore:
$200 to $500, demerit points
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
singapore:
Not practiced; fines usually paid online or by other means
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
singapore:
Varies; typically 14 days to pay