Bulgaria · Пътни закони
Bulgaria road traffic laws and penalties
Speed, alcohol, phone, safety-equipment and motorway rules for drivers and riders visiting Bulgaria.
- Държава
- Bulgaria
- Тема
- Пътни закони
- Публикувано
- Последна проверка
- 24 август 2026
- Официален източник
- Отвори източника ↗
Key rules
Traffic keeps to the right. The general alcohol limit is 0.5‰ (0.5 g/L blood alcohol).
A driver may not use a mobile phone while the vehicle is moving unless using a hands-free system. The fine is BGN 100 and 8 control points.
The driver and passengers must use seat belts where fitted. Motorcyclists and passengers must wear fastened protective helmets. The driver penalty is BGN 100 and 10 control points.
At an emergency stop, warn other traffic with hazard lights or a warning triangle. Failing to secure a stopped vehicle can cost BGN 200.
Speed penalties
Inside a settlement
Over the posted limit | Fine (BGN) | Driving ban listed |
|---|---|---|
Up to 10 km/h | 20 | — |
11–20 km/h | 50 | — |
21–30 km/h | 100 | — |
31–40 km/h | 400 | — |
41–50 km/h | 600 | 2 months |
More than 50 km/h | 700 + 50 for each additional 5 km/h | 3 months |
Outside a settlement
Over the posted limit | Fine (BGN) | Driving ban listed |
|---|---|---|
Up to 10 km/h | 20 | — |
11–20 km/h | 50 | — |
21–30 km/h | 100 | — |
31–40 km/h | 300 | — |
41–50 km/h | 400 | — |
More than 50 km/h | 600 + 50 for each additional 5 km/h | 3 months |
A dash means no driving ban is listed in this summary. Repeat offences can carry substantially higher sanctions. Always follow the posted limit.
Alcohol and serious offences
Driving with more than 0.5‰ and up to 0.8‰ alcohol carries BGN 500 and a six-month ban. More than 0.8‰ and up to 1.2‰ carries BGN 1,000 and a twelve-month ban. Above 1.2‰ is a criminal offence, with possible imprisonment, a fine and disqualification. Refusing a lawful alcohol or drug test also carries severe sanctions.
Using a motorway emergency lane when there is no permitted reason, or driving against motorway traffic, costs BGN 1,000 and a three-month ban; a repeat offence costs BGN 4,000 and a six-month ban.
Rules visitors often miss
A pedestrian who looks at or uses a mobile device while crossing the road can be fined BGN 50.
Leaving an engine running while parked or stationary, unless needed for loading or another permitted technical activity, can cost BGN 100.
An electronic ticket paid within the statutory voluntary-payment period is generally payable at 70% of its amount. Pay only through the channels and account stated on the official document; roadside cash collection is not the normal procedure.
Source and scope
Reviewed against the Bulgarian State Road Safety Agency's current sanctions tables and useful information on 24 August 2026. Amounts are statutory sanctions in Bulgarian lev (BGN); circumstances, repeat offending, court proceedings and later amendments can change the final result. Check the linked official source before travel.