Driving in Bulgaria vs. Tunisia: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Bulgaria and Tunisia, understanding the distinct regulations and practices can enhance your travel experience. From lane usage and speed limits to documentation requirements, this comparison reveals significant contrasts that can impact your journey. Familiarizing yourself with these variations ensures a safer and more enjoyable ride in both countries.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Not typically permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 80 km/h |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
tunisia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Signals
| Bulgaria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not typically used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; 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
tunisia:
Not typically used
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
tunisia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Bulgaria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
tunisia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Mandatory; proof may be 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
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
tunisia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bulgaria:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
tunisia:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial; varies by offense |
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay