Driving in Bulgaria vs. Spain: Key Safety Differences
Exploring the distinct driving environments of Bulgaria and Spain reveals important variations in regulations and practices. From overtaking rules on multi-lane roads to speed limits and alcohol restrictions, understanding these contrasts can enhance your road safety abroad. Stay informed to navigate each country's unique driving landscape effectively.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 120 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 |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bulgaria:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Bulgaria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
bulgaria:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bulgaria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.