Driving in Bulgaria vs. Venezuela: Key Safety Insights
When traversing the roads of Bulgaria and Venezuela, understanding the distinct rules and regulations is crucial for a secure journey. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and documentation requirements. While Bulgaria mandates reflective vests and has stricter alcohol limits, Venezuela allows more flexibility with certain traffic maneuvers. Prepare wisely to ensure a safe and enjoyable driving experience in these diverse countries.
Lanes
| Bulgaria | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, usually in larger cities |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Primarily reserved for public transport. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Infrequent |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Where available, exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols may be used. |
Bus Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
venezuela:
Yes, usually in larger cities
Bus Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Primarily reserved for public transport.
venezuela:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bulgaria:
Yes
venezuela:
Infrequent
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bulgaria:
Exclusive for bicycles.
venezuela:
Where available, exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bulgaria:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
venezuela:
Bicycle symbols may be used.
Speeds Limits
| Bulgaria | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-60 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 70-90 km/h |
Urban Areas: Standard
bulgaria:
50 km/h
venezuela:
30-60 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
90 km/h
venezuela:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
80 km/h
venezuela:
70 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
80 km/h
venezuela:
60 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bulgaria:
140 km/h
venezuela:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bulgaria:
100 km/h
venezuela:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bulgaria:
100 km/h
venezuela:
70-90 km/h
Signals
| Bulgaria | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bulgaria | Not used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bulgarian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Diamond-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bulgaria:
Not used in Bulgaria
venezuela:
Not used
Traffic Signs: Language
bulgaria:
Bulgarian; symbols are standard
venezuela:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bulgaria:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
venezuela:
Diamond-shaped with red border
Turns
| Bulgaria | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 otherwise indicated by signs |
Right Turn On Red
bulgaria:
Not generally allowed
venezuela:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
bulgaria:
Permitted unless indicated otherwise by signs
venezuela:
Generally allowed unless otherwise indicated by signs
Documentation
| Bulgaria | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, proof required | Annual inspection required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| 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
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bulgaria:
Accepted for short visits with International Driving Permit
venezuela:
International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bulgaria:
Yes, proof required
venezuela:
Annual inspection required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bulgaria:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
venezuela:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
venezuela:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Bulgaria | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bulgaria:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
venezuela:
Frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Bulgaria | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Fairly common |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Can be substantial |
Limits: General Drivers
bulgaria:
0.05%
venezuela:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
venezuela:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bulgaria:
0.00%
venezuela:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bulgaria:
Common; checkpoints used
venezuela:
Fairly common
Enforcement: Fines
bulgaria:
Substantial
venezuela:
Can be substantial
Emergency Services
| Bulgaria | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 911 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by region | 171 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local providers | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
bulgaria:
112
venezuela:
911
Contact: Traffic Police
bulgaria:
Varies by region
venezuela:
171
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bulgaria:
Check with your insurance provider or local providers
venezuela:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bulgaria:
Mandatory
venezuela:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Bulgaria | Venezuela | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Up to €50 | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €50 | Fines applicable |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; typically fined and points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid onsite | Yes, sometimes possible |
Common Fines: Speeding
bulgaria:
Varies; often €20 to €150, points on license
venezuela:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bulgaria:
Up to €50
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Phone Use
bulgaria:
Up to €50
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bulgaria:
Varies; typically fined and points on license
venezuela:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
bulgaria:
Common; fines often paid onsite
venezuela:
Yes, sometimes possible