Driving Differences: Bulgaria vs. Slovakia Explained
When considering road travel in Bulgaria and Slovakia, understanding the nuances of their traffic regulations is essential for a secure journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, alcohol tolerance, and vehicle documentation requirements. Both nations present unique driving landscapes, making it crucial for travelers to familiarize themselves with local rules to ensure a safe experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| 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.
slovakia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 130 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. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bulgaria:
30 km/h
slovakia:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
slovakia:
130 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
slovakia:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
slovakia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Signals
| Bulgaria | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in Slovakia |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Slovak; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular-shaped with red borders |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
Turns
| Bulgaria | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
slovakia:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 along with local license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Mandatory and regular inspections required |
| 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
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
slovakia:
Displayed on windshield
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
slovakia:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
slovakia:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
slovakia:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Slovakia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | €50 to €150, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | €100 to €200, points in some regions |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | €100 to €250, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Common |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
slovakia:
Common
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay