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).