Driving Regulations

Regulations Road signs and driving regulations in Bulgaria follow international standards, though some signs might be missing in villages and on rural roadsForeign 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 tipsThe 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 tractorsC2: Smaller construction machines, vehicles with more than 8+1 seats designed for passenger transportC3: 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