Driving in Bulgaria vs. Taiwan: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the road rules in Bulgaria and Taiwan uncovers significant contrasts in regulations and practices. From unique lane usage and speed limits to varied alcohol tolerance levels, this comparison highlights essential distinctions that affect driving safety. Prepare to navigate these diverse landscapes with confidence as you learn how to adapt to each country's unique driving culture.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles and scooters. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or more occupants during peak times |
| 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.
taiwan:
Reserved for buses; taxis and motorcycles sometimes allowed during specific times.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
taiwan:
Labeled 'BUS' or '公交專用道'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
taiwan:
Exclusive for bicycles and scooters.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
taiwan:
Bicycle and scooter symbols, often colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
No
taiwan:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
taiwan:
Minimum two or more occupants during peak times
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 90-110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80-90 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, fines can be issued on the spot |
Urban Areas: Standard
bulgaria:
50 km/h
taiwan:
40-50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
taiwan:
50-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
taiwan:
90-110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
taiwan:
90-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
taiwan:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
taiwan:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
taiwan:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
taiwan:
Yes, fines can be issued on the spot
Signals
| Bulgaria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used in Taiwan |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Mandarin; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
taiwan:
Not used in Taiwan
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
taiwan:
Mandarin; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
taiwan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bulgaria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
taiwan:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
taiwan:
Generally allowed unless a sign prohibits them
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Yes, periodic inspections mandatory |
| 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
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
taiwan:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
taiwan:
Yes, periodic inspections mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use in busy areas |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
taiwan:
Frequent use in busy areas
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Heavy fines imposed |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fine |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
taiwan:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
taiwan:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
taiwan:
Heavy fines imposed
Test Refusal
bulgaria:
Can result in license suspension
taiwan:
Can result in license suspension and fine
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 119 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | Varies by district; inquire locally |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Available via insurance or specialized companies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
taiwan:
119
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
taiwan:
Varies by district; inquire locally
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
taiwan:
Available via insurance or specialized companies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
taiwan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Taiwan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Steep fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | NT$1,500, points in some cases |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | NT$2,700, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
taiwan:
Varies; NT$1,600 to NT$6,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bulgaria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
taiwan:
Steep fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
taiwan:
NT$1,500, points in some cases
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
taiwan:
NT$1,500 to NT$3,000, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
taiwan:
NT$2,700, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
taiwan:
Possible; fines can sometimes be paid immediately