Driving in Bulgaria
Driving
into Bulgaria
Every foreign citizen who enters the territory of the Republic of
Bulgaria on a motor vehicle has to present a document of ownership
over this vehicle, if such ownership is not explicitly shown on
the documents of registration of the vehicle.
Minimum
Ages
The minimum age to drive a car in Bulgaria is 18 years. Children
must be at least 12 years of age to sit in the front seat. The use
of seat belts is compulsory for front-seat passengers.
Drink-Driving
The legal blood alcohol limit is 0 mg.
Speed
Limits
Speed limits are as follows:
- 60 kph (37 mph) in built-up areas (50
kph for motorcycles and for cars towing a trailer).
- 80 kph (50 mph)
outside built-up areas (70 kph for motorcycles & cars towing
a trailer).
- 120 kph (74 mph) on expressways (100 kph for motorcycles
& cars towing a trailer).
Drivers who have held their licence
for less than two years are limited as follows:
- 50 kph (30 mph)
in built-up areas.
- 70 kph (44 mph) outside built-up areas.
- 100
kph (62 mph) on expressways.
Priorities
In an exception to the priority-on-your-right rule, trams always have
priority. Pedestrians on banded cross walks have priority over all
vehicles except trams.
Fines
Police have the power to collect fines on the spot and they should
issue a receipt.
Parking
On one-way streets, park on the right only. Blue Zone parking is
in effect in many built-up areas and you should obtain a ticket;
tickets are used instead of discs.
Fuel
Fuel stations are located in large towns and every 35 km or so along
main roads. Most stations operate from 6am to 9.30pm, but some are
open 24 hours. Fuel in blue pumps is of much better quality. Leaded
regular has an octane rating of 86; the octane rating of super is
96. Unleaded petrol is known as bes olovo bleifrei; the super variety
has an octane rating of 93. Some stations accept credit cards.
Tollroads
Foreign-registered vehicles using expressways or four-lane rods
must pay tolls: 2 leva per km for a private car, 3 leva per km for
a van with less than 12 seats, and 4 leva per km for a bus. There's
also a toll to cross the bridge over the Danube between Rousse,
Bulgaria, and Gjourguevo (Giurgia), Romania.
Miscellaneous
In towns drivers must use headlights where lighting is not good.
Fog lights or headlights should be used when weather significantly
reduces visibility. Unless otherwise indicated, horns can be used
outside built-up areas. |
