Driving in Bulgaria vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Bulgaria and the United Kingdom, drivers encounter notable contrasts in regulations and practices. From lane usage and speed limits to traffic signals and emergency protocols, understanding these variations is essential for ensuring safe journeys abroad. Discover the vital distinctions that can enhance your driving experience in these two unique countries.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
bulgaria:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
bulgaria:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
bulgaria:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bulgaria:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
bulgaria:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
bulgaria:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bulgaria:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
bulgaria:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bulgaria:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
bulgaria:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bulgaria:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bulgaria:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bulgaria:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Bulgaria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bulgaria:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not generally allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
bulgaria:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
bulgaria:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Bulgaria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bulgaria:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Bulgaria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
bulgaria:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
bulgaria:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bulgaria:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
bulgaria:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay