Driving in Bulgaria vs. Sri Lanka: Key Differences Revealed
When navigating the roads of Bulgaria and Sri Lanka, drivers encounter notable variations in traffic regulations and driving culture. Key distinctions, such as driving on the right in Bulgaria versus the left in Sri Lanka, as well as differing speed limits and lane usage, emphasize the importance of understanding these contrasts for a safer travel experience abroad.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Marks the right edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Allowed when safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted. |
Driving Side
bulgaria:
Right
sri lanka:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
sri lanka:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
bulgaria:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
sri lanka:
Allowed when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bulgaria:
Use rightmost lane.
sri lanka:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
sri lanka:
Reserved for buses.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
sri lanka:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
sri lanka:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
sri lanka:
Bicycles often share lanes with other vehicles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
sri lanka:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
sri lanka:
Speed limits remain constant unless otherwise posted.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
sri lanka:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
sri lanka:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
sri lanka:
100 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
sri lanka:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
sri lanka:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
sri lanka:
Yes; fines are applied at the time of citation
Signals
| Bulgaria | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in Sri Lanka |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Used more frequently in rural areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular shape with a red border and a white background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
sri lanka:
Not used in Sri Lanka
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bulgaria:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
sri lanka:
Used more frequently in rural areas
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
sri lanka:
Sinhala, Tamil, and sometimes English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
sri lanka:
Triangular shape with a red border and a white background
Turns
| Bulgaria | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| 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
sri lanka:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
sri lanka:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield |
| 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
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
sri lanka:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
sri lanka:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
sri lanka:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bulgaria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
sri lanka:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.06% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.04% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
sri lanka:
0.06%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.04%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
sri lanka:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
sri lanka:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
sri lanka:
Can be substantial
Roundabouts
| Bulgaria | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
bulgaria:
Signal right when preparing to exit
sri lanka:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 119 or contact local police |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
sri lanka:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
sri lanka:
119 or contact local police
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
sri lanka:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
sri lanka:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Sri lanka | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; expect substantial fines |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Fines applied; amount may vary |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Possible; fines may be paid on the spot |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
sri lanka:
Varies; expect substantial fines
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
sri lanka:
Fines applied; amount may vary
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
sri lanka:
Possible; fines may be paid on the spot