Driving in Bulgaria vs. South Korea: Key Differences
When embarking on a journey through Bulgaria or South Korea, understanding the nuances of road regulations is essential for safe travel. From lane usage to speed limits and alcohol restrictions, each country presents distinct rules. Be informed to navigate these diverse driving environments confidently and ensure your safety on the roads.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed on multi-lane roads |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses during specified hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
south korea:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads; no crossing allowed.
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
south korea:
Allowed on multi-lane roads
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
south korea:
Reserved for buses during specified hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
south korea:
Often marked with blue lines, labeled 'BUS'.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
south korea:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
No
south korea:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
south korea:
Minimum two or more occupants
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 100-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 100-110 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
Urban Areas: Standard
bulgaria:
50 km/h
south korea:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
south korea:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
south korea:
100-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
south korea:
100-110 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
south korea:
80-100 km/h
Signals
| Bulgaria | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in South Korea |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Korean; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
south korea:
Not used in South Korea
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
south korea:
Korean; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
south korea:
Diamond-shaped with yellow or orange background
Turns
| Bulgaria | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
south korea:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Mandatory; proof must be displayed |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
south korea:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
south korea:
Mandatory; proof must be displayed
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
south korea:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
south korea:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
south korea:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
south korea:
Common; sobriety checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
south korea:
Varies; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bulgaria:
Can result in license suspension
south korea:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | Varies; often part of the general emergency network |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Recommended but not mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
south korea:
Varies; often part of the general emergency network
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
south korea:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
south korea:
Recommended but not mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | South korea | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines and license points given |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Fines and license points given |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Yes |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
south korea:
Varies; fines and license points given
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
south korea:
Fines and license points given
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
south korea:
Yes