Bulgarian traffic rules are in many ways similar to any European, but differ in a number of additional restrictions. We tell you what you can and cannot do on the roads of Bulgaria and what the punishment is for breaking the rules.
For violation of the rules, the police (KAT) may issue a fine or issue a deprivation of rights. There are automatic cameras that monitor speed and the presence of traffic jams.
Punishment for speeding
Table 2. Punishment for violating the speed limit in Bulgaria.
| How much was exceeded, km/h | Fine in Bulgarian Leva (BGN) | |
| In a populated area | On the track | |
| 11 – 20 | 50 | 50 |
| 21 – 30 | 100 | 100 |
| 31 – 40 | 400 | 300 |
| 41 – 50 | 600 | 400 |
| 51 и more | 700 and deprivation of rights for 3 months | 600 |
If the limit is exceeded by 51 km/h or more, for every additional 5 km/h the fine will increase by 50 levs.
Responsibility for drunk driving
By blood alcohol content:
- from 0.5 to 0.8 ppm inclusive – a fine of 500 levs. and deprivation of rights for 6 months;
- from 0.8 to 1.2 ppm inclusive – 1,000 levs. and deprivation of rights for a year;
- higher concentrations are punishable by imprisonment.
Refusal to undergo an examination will result in a fine of BGN 2,000. and will take away your license for up to 2 years.
Good advice: if you suspect that the device may show more than 0.5 ppm, do not bring the situation to the point of testing the device. Explain to the policeman that he can show more and you want to resolve the issue on the spot (50-100 levs). If the examination with the device has already taken place, the police officer will not be able to help you in any way, because the data is sent to the CAT server online.
Responsibility for illegal parking
Violation of parking rules – 20 levs.
More severe penalties are provided for leaving a car:
- second row along the roads – 50 levs;
- at a public transport stop – from 20 to 150 levs;
- in parks, pedestrian areas, playgrounds and sidewalks – from 50 to 200 levs;
- in places for disabled people (if there is no right to do so) – 200 levs.
Fines for lack of documents
- Failure to have a driver’s license, registration certificate, insurance or control card with you – 10 levs.
- Refusal to provide documents – from 50 to 200 levs. and deprivation of rights for a period of 1 to 6 months.
- Driving a vehicle by a person who does not have a license – from 100 to 300 levs.
Fines for incorrect transportation of passengers
- Unfastened seat belt – 50 levs.
- Incorrect transportation of children – 50 levs.
Responsibility for improper overtaking and dangerous maneuvers
- Violation of the rules of overtaking – 30 levs, and if a dangerous situation is created – 150 levs.
- Driving against the flow of one-way traffic – 30 levs.
- Driving into oncoming traffic on a motorway or expressway – 1000 BGN. and deprivation of rights for 3 months.
- Running a red light costs 100 levs. Repeated violation – 200 levs. and deprivation of rights for 1 month. The same penalty applies for failure to allow a pedestrian to pass at a crossing.
Fines for other common violations
- Ignoring a STOP sign – 20 levs.
- Lack of vignette – 300 levs. for passenger cars, 600 BGN. for 8-seater cars, 1,500 BGN. for trucks up to 12 tons and buses.
- Driving in a dedicated bus lane – 50 BGN.
- High tire wear or violation of “winter” rules regarding the choice of tires – 50 levs.
- Unreadable or hidden car number – 50 BGN.
- Using a mobile phone without a headset – 50 BGN.
There is a problem with paying fines; you will have to go to the bank and pay using the details from the receipt or to KAT and pay through the cashier.