Road signs and driving regulations in Bulgaria follow international standards, though some signs might be missing in villages and on rural roads
Foreign citizens may drive in Bulgaria using foreign driving licenses for up to one year after entering Bulgaria. After the end of that period, the driving license has to be replaced with Bulgarian one.
If your home country has not ratified the 1968 Vienna convention on road traffic, you will have to get your driving license translated into Bulgarian to use it in the country. After a year, you will have to take a driving exam.
According to the US embassy in Bulgaria, the US driver's licence in Bulgaria is accepted only if accompanied by an International Driving Permit.
International Driving Permits (IDP) are recognised in nearly 150 countries and serve as an official translation of the US driver's licence. For more information, please click here.
Currently driving test is conducted only in Bulgarian. Foreigners are not allowed to use an interpreter during the test. The situation, however, will change very soon, as Transport Ministry had already translated the tests in English and the tests are being printed.
Transport Ministry plans to translate the driving license tests in German, French, Spanish and Italian, as well.
Drivers should have in mind that any vehicle entering the country needs to have insurance. Drivers entering the country also need to pay an entrance fee, calculated in accordance to the type of vehicle.
Driving tips The road system in the country is still underdeveloped when it comes to smaller roads. Better driving conditions are found on major roads and highways. In order to use the highways in the country, you need to purchase a vignette (see the table for vignette prices).
Vignette prices for vehicles with foreign registration
CATEGORY/DURATION
C1*
C2*
C3*
Daily
10
10
Weekly
56
33
5
Monthly
153
87
13
Annual
485
256
34
*Fines are in euro
Vignette prices for vehicles with Bulgarian registration
CATEGORY/DURATION
C1*
C2*
C3*
Daily
10
10
Weekly
56.4
33.3
5
Monthly
153.8
87
12.8
Annual
487
256.4
34.4
*Fines are in euro
C1: Construction machines and tractors C2: Smaller construction machines, vehicles with more than 8+1 seats designed for passenger transport C3: Vehicles with up to 8+1 seats designed for passenger transport
Vignette fees and road taxes could be paid at the border checkpoints in leva, euro or US dollars. Vignette stickers are available at some petrol stations, the offices of Executive Agency Automobile Administration and the regional road administration offices in the country.
Using a vehicle with international licence plates could subject you to unexpected police inspections. Be aware of some common violations and the fines for these:
Violation fines
VIOLATION
FINE
Speed limit violations
Up to 35 euro
Driving without a seat belt
20 euro
Driving intoxicated*
From 50 to 150 euro and suspension of licence
Mobile phone usage without hands free
20 euro
* The permissible amount of alcohol level in the blood is 0.5/1000. Sanctions depend on the percentage exceeding the permitted level.
One of the most common violations is exceeding the speed limit. Speed limits in Bulgaria vary as follows:
Speed limits
SPEED LIMIT
APPLIES TO
50 km/h
Populated areas
90 km/h
Outside populated areas
130 km/h
Highways
According to the US embassy in Bulgaria, driving conditions are as follows:
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Friday, July 04 2008
Expat of the Week
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I am interested in business opportunity for student recruitment from Bulgaria. read more
What`s on in Bulgaria
Cultural Institutes
DANA KYNDROVA, LIBUSI KYNDROVA, OCCUPATION, NORMALISATION, WITHDRAWAL What: A joint exhibition of photographer Dana Kyndrova and her mother, Libusi, remembering the occupation of Czechoslovakia by the troops of the Warsaw Pact forty years ago. When: June 30 to September 19 Where: the Czech Centre, 100 Rakovski Str, Sofia
Art
SUMMERTIME-IV, PART 1 What: General exhibition – Bogomil Arsov, Rosen Rashev, Boiko Kolev, Stelly Grancharov, Dimitar Karatonev. When: June 24 to July 31 Where: Paris Gallery, 8 Paris Str, Sofia
SVETLIN ROUSSEV, THE GLASS PRAYER & THE MASTERS What: Two exhibitions are taking place at the National Gallery for Foreign Art over June-July. The Glass Prayer exhibition presents Svetlin Roussev’s newest works, interpreting the topic of the meaning of life, the mission of every person and his or her respons When: June 14 to July 14 Where: National Gallery for Foreign Art, Sveti Alexander Nevsky Square, 1 Devetnaiseti Fevruari Str, Sofia
7TH LESSEDRA WORLD ART PRINT ANNUAL MINI PRINT 2008 What: This international exhibition/competition aims to show no other art has such big an application in modern society as graphic art. Its goal is to bring together participants and works from all over the world and forge contacts between artists and connoisse When: June 11 to August 31 Where: Lessedra Gallery, 25 Milin Kamuk Str, Sofia
MOMCHIL GEORGIEV, FINE ART What: Momchil Georgiev was born in 1974 in Plovdiv. He graduated with a degree in metal works from the National Academy of Arts, but currently works in the field of fine art. In this new exhibition at Agora Gallery, Georgiev presents his most recent work. His p When: July 9 to 29 Where: Agora Gallery, 3 Udovo Str, Sofia
KIRIL GYULEMETOV – 70 YEARS What: Kiril Gyulemetov (1938–2004) was a graphic. He did etchings, engravings on wood (though more rarely) and lithographies. He drew for more than 45 years – landscapes, people, objects, and ornaments. Fine art he did with oils, and he usually worked with aqua When: June 26 to July 25 Where: Altera Art Centre, 36 Dragan Tsankov Str, Interpred, Sofia
MAYA KOUBRATOVA, TOUCH What: With this exhibition of sculpture the artist aims to share with the viewer moments, moods and sensations all expressed by the frame of the different female figures. Koubratova likes to experiment with materials and to create coloured sculptures that have When: June 9 to July 8 Where: Minerva Gallery, Grand Hotel Sofia, 1 Gourko Str, Sofia
BISSERA VULEVA, SEASONS OF THE YEAR What: The exhibition consists of oil fine art canvases and large format paintings. The seasons of the year are represented as fragments of landscapes, as close-up parts of expectations, hopes and emotions. When: June 10 to July 10 Where: Sofia Press Gallery/Bookstore, 29 Slavyanska Str, Sofia
RADOSTIN DAMASKOV, SCULPTURE What: Radostin Damaskov has a degree in sculpture from the Veliko Turnovo University St St Kiril and Metodii. He has been a member of the Union of Bulgarian Artists since 1987 and has participated in a number of exhibitions in Bulgaria and abroad, as well as i When: July 9 to August 8 Where: Minerva Gallery, Grand Hotel Sofia, 1 Gourko Str, Sofia
ALEXANDER IVANOV, 360 BULGARIA What: Exhibition of 120 photographs of Bulgaria shot by photographer Alexander Ivanov from a paraglider. When: July 31 to August 28, at the entrance of Morskata Gradina (the sea garden), Varna September 5 to October 3, at the Central Square, Knyaz Alexander I Str, Plovdiv Where: Morskata Gradina (the sea garden), Varna and the Central Square, Knyaz Alexander I Str, Plovdiv
ALEC FINLAY, PRAVDOLIUB IVANOV, THOUGHTS WITHIN THOUGHTS What: British artist Alec Finlay and Bulgarian counterpart Pravdoliub Ivanov explore areas of artistic collaboration, cognition, playtime, dialogue and subtle irony through a series of new neon and print installations, sculptures, wall drawings and live perform When: June 21 to July 26 Where: ARC Projects, 4th fl, 90 Vitosha Blvd, Sofia
ANATOLII STANKOULOV What: The exhibition is the latest stop of Anatolii Stankoulov on his trip around Europe over the past year, during which he lived, painted and exhibited his works in Paris, then staged exhibitions in Barcelona and Belgrade. When: July 21 to August 20 Where: Minerva Gallery, Grand Hotel Sofia, 1 Gourko Str, Sofia
SKA FEST What: The first ska fest in the Balkans will be held in Sofia in mid-July with the participation of Bibi Ribozo and the Banditos (Poland), Steff Tej Trio (France), 63 High (Greece), Svetlio & The Legends (Bulgaria), Root Souljah, Senior Buffo & The Synchronizer When: July 19, at 5pm Where: Blue Box Club
Live Music
DEF LEPPARD AND WHITESNAKE AT ARENA MUZIKA 2008 What: What could be a better way to kick-off July's music season! The two musical legends will play for the first time on one stage in Sofia as headliners of the Arena Muzika festival. It will be Whitesnake’s fourth visit to Bulgaria, but a country debut for De When: July 4 Where: Sofia’s Akademik stadium
Kalikara Rock Fest 2008 What: Manowar, Holyhell, Sixth Sense, Alice Cooper, Slayer and In Flames will be performing one after another for three consecutive days When: July 5 - 7
Lenny Kravitz When: July 27 Where: Sofia
piano concert of Petar Andonov What: piano concert of Petar Andonov, free entrance When: July 4 Where: Boris Hristoff Musical Centre
Jazz concert with performers from the Netherlands, Bulgaria and Italy. What: Jazz concert with performers from the Netherlands, Bulgaria and Italy. Tickets at five leva. When: July 5 Where: Boris Hristoff Musical Centre
Opera film evenings: the greatest tenors of 20th century. What: Opera film evenings: the greatest tenors of 20th century. Tickets cost one lev. When: July 7 Where: Boris Hristoff Musical Centre
Charles Gounod’s opera Faust, with Boris Hristoff (1959). What: Charles Gounod’s opera Faust, with Boris Hristoff (1959). Tickets cost one lev. When: July 9, 5pm Where: Boris Hristoff Musical Centre
MINISTRY What: First and last and on the top of it quite limited chance to see the US industrial metal band Ministry. The concert is part of the Arena Muzika 2008 Festival and the last tour of the band. The tickets are offered at NDK ticket desk and via ticketpro.bg at When: July 12 Where: Hristo Botev Hall, Sofia
BROOKLYN FUNK ESSENTIALS What: Brooklyn Funk Essentials will perform their mixture of jazz, funk, and hip hop especially for the Bulgarian fans. When: July 12, at 11pm Where: Social Jazz Club, Sofia
DUNAV STARS Silistra 2008 What: Dunav Stars is an international competition for performers of popular songs, aiming to discover young talents, aged from six to 25 years. The entrance is free. When: July 16 to 19 Where: Drama theatre Sava Dobroplodni, Silistra
GABRIEL & DRESDEN’S JOSH GABRIEL BULGARIA TOUR 2008 What: The two DJs from San Francisco Josh Gabriel and Dave Dresden are coming to the Bulgarian Black Sea coast for a hot all-night-long set. Tickets are available via ticketstream.bg at the price of 18 leva. Everyone who has bought a ticket at the preliminary s When: July 19 and 20, from 11pm to 6am Where: Surf Club at Cacao Beach, Slunchev Bryag (Sunny Beach)
JAZZ WITH BOBBY MCFERRIN What: A little bit of diversity comes with Bobby McFerrin in late July. The concert will for sure please the jazz fans with all the four octaves of his voice, which has won him 10 Grammy Awards. And let’s not forget that McFerrin gave to the world the unique hi When: July 21 Where: National Palace of Culture (NDK), Hall 1