Click to jump to: Speed Limits Rules & Regulations What to Bring Along
Rules & Regulations
Make sure that you read through our guide below before you start driving in Bulgaria.
- Drive on the right-hand side of the road.
- Seat belts must be worn by all occupants of the vehicle.
- Children under the age of 3 or less than 150cm tall must use the correct child seat
- Children over 150cm may travel without the child seat but in the back.
- Use of mobile phones whilst driving is forbidden unless you have a hands free set.
- The legal blood alcohol content limit is 0.5 mg.
- The usage of your car horn is prohibited at all times and in all areas. The horn can be used only in avoiding road accidents.
- In one-way streets, parking is only on the left
- You are not allowed to wear dark sunglasses, high heels or flip flops whilst driving in Bulgaria.
- Eating and smoking at the wheel are also forbidden.
- During the winter months (1st November – 1st March) drivers must have their headlights on at all times.
- Winter tyres are required when driving during the winter time in Bulgaria. Snow chains are permitted. Their use can become compulsory according to road conditions, in which case this is indicated by the international road sign.
Please make sure that you are aware of all the road regulations before you start driving in Bulgaria.
Speed Limits
Standard legal limits, which may be varied by signs.
- 50km/h (30 mph) inside the city limits
- 90km/h (55mph) outside cities
- 120 km/h (75mph) on motorways unless indicated otherwise.
Things to Bring Along
It is compulsory to have the following equipment with you when driving in Bulgaria:
- Full UK driving licence. There will be no changes to the situation after Brexit in the EU as UK driving licences will still be accepted.
- All cars must carry a red warning triangle
- First aid kit
- Fire extinguisher
- Reflective jacket
- Spare wheel
- Lifting tool (jack)
- Wheel wrench
Additional Information
- Bulgarian police may stop you to check your documents and you must carry them on you at all times.
- A road tax applies for most major roads, outside the main town areas marked vignette. Vignettes can be bought from petrol stations across the country as well as at border crossings, post offices and branches of DZI Bank.
- You can contact the police on 166 or 112.
- Take extra care when driving in rural areas as some roads are bumpy and in bad condition.
- There are no toll roads in Bulgaria.
- Many speed cameras are installed on main routes across the country so make sure that you don’t break the speed limits.
SIXT Car Hire in Bulgaria
Sixt has branches in several cities throughout Bulgaria including 5 in the capital of Sofia and one located at Sofia International airport. Wherever you decide to go make sure you use Sixt car rental in Bulgaria, helping you to make the most of your time.
