It is forbidden to drive in the emergency lane and you can stop only if necessary;
The vignette sticker is electronic, it is mandatory when driving outside the city, there are no other tolls in Bulgaria;
In Bulgaria you have to drive all day with lights on;
Don’t leave your car documents in the car, put them in your bag and don’t forget them in the car. This way, if the car is stolen, you are obliged to return its documents and the car insurance will be valid;
In an emergency, call the single European number 112 immediately;
In Bulgaria you drive on the right and overtake on the left;
Wearing a seat belt is compulsory, except for pregnant women and people with physical problems;
Seat belts are mandatory, even for those sitting in the back seat;
Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to ride up front;
Use of alcohol and other narcotic substances / THC, methylamphetamine, MDMA, etc. / while driving is prohibited. The minimum amount of alcohol in the blood is 0.5 g/l, above this value follow very strict fines and penalties, revocation of driving license and even imprisonment;
It is compulsory to have an emergency kit in the vehicles, containing: first aid kit, emergency triangle, reflective vest and fire extinguisher;
The maximum speeds permitted when driving a car are 50 km/h in a populated area, 90 km/h outside a populated area, 120 km/h on an expressway and 140 km/h on a motorway unless otherwise indicated by road signs;
There are paid parking zones in the central parts of most cities in Bulgaria. Check for signs to navigate by, as it is not yet possible to text for paid parking from a non-Bulgarian phone number, the only option left is to purchase a paper ticket which is erased and placed on the dashboard. If you do not comply with the parking regulations you may be issued with a clamp or the vehicle may be forcibly moved by spider and in either case you will incur a fine.
Bulgaria is a mountainous country, if you decide to visit one of the many Bulgarian mountains, be careful, especially in November – March, where you may encounter ice or heavy snowfall. During this period it is mandatory to drive with winter tyres and in extreme conditions to wear chains. Driving in mountainous areas also poses some danger of wild forest animals popping up on the roadway, so stay alert.
In Bulgaria, you may be stopped for a routine check by the traffic police. Then you must provide your and the vehicle’s documents.
Before you hit the road, check the current traffic situation:
Don’t drive tired! Try to be rested before you hit the road and stop for frequent breaks along the way.
A child seat or booster seat must be fitted in the car if you are travelling with children, so they will travel safely.
The use of a mobile phone without handsfree is prohibited while driving.
