Driving in Bulgaria vs Turkey: Key Differences Explained
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Bulgaria and Turkey to ensure a safe journey abroad. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and traffic signal protocols. Understanding these variations will enhance your driving experience, helping you navigate the roads with confidence and awareness in both countries.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| 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.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bulgaria:
N/A
turkey:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| 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, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
turkey:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
turkey:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
turkey:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
turkey:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Bulgaria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bulgaria:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
turkey:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
bulgaria:
Can result in license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bulgaria:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges