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Driving regulations
Regulations
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: | |||
| Safety of Public Transportation | Fair | ||
| Urban road conditions | Fair | ||
| Rural road conditions | Poor to fair | ||
| Availability of roadside assistance | Poor | ||

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