Driving in Bulgaria vs. South Africa: Key Differences
When embarking on a journey through Bulgaria or South Africa, understanding the distinct road regulations and driving customs is vital for a secure experience. Key contrasts include driving on the right in Bulgaria versus the left in South Africa, as well as varying speed limits and traffic signaling practices. Stay informed and drive safely!
Lanes
| Bulgaria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | Allowed |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless turning. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring. |
Driving Side
bulgaria:
Right
south africa:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south africa:
Marks the right edge on roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
south africa:
Used to demarcate lanes on certain roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bulgaria:
Yes
south africa:
Allowed
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south africa:
Prohibited unless turning.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bulgaria:
Use rightmost lane.
south africa:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
south africa:
Reserved for buses; marked with road signs and lane markings.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south africa:
May include the word 'BUS' and specific coloring.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 40 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, common in South Africa |
Urban Areas: Standard
bulgaria:
50 km/h
south africa:
40-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bulgaria:
30 km/h
south africa:
40 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
south africa:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
south africa:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
south africa:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
south africa:
80-100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
south africa:
Yes, common in South Africa
Signals
| Bulgaria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in South Africa |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular shape with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
south africa:
Not used in South Africa
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
south africa:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
south africa:
Triangular shape with a red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Allowed at designated places; check for signs. |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
south africa:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
south africa:
Allowed at designated places; check for signs.
Documentation
| Bulgaria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Not applicable |
| 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
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
south africa:
Accepted if driving temporarily; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
south africa:
Required when transferring ownership or relicensing a vehicle
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
south africa:
Not applicable
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bulgaria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
south africa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; roadblocks are used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial; varies based on offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and additional fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
south africa:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
south africa:
Common; roadblocks are used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
south africa:
Substantial; varies based on offense
Test Refusal
bulgaria:
Can result in license suspension
south africa:
Can result in license suspension and additional fines
Roundabouts
| Bulgaria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bulgaria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
south africa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 112 or 10111 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | Call general emergency number |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA) |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
south africa:
112 or 10111
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
south africa:
Call general emergency number
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
south africa:
Check with your insurance provider or the Automobile Association of South Africa (AASA)
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
south africa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | South africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Common fine; mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Yes, common with road checkpoints |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
south africa:
Varies; substantial fines depending on excess speed
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
south africa:
Common fine; mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
south africa:
Fines applicable, varies by local ordinance
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
south africa:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
south africa:
Yes, common with road checkpoints
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
south africa:
Varies depending on violation; typically 30 days to pay