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
- 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, exceeding the limit by up to 10 km/h costs BGN 20; 11–20 km/h costs BGN 50; 21–30 km/h costs BGN 100; and 31–40 km/h costs BGN 400. More than 40 km/h over costs BGN 600 plus a two-month driving ban. More than 50 km/h over costs BGN 700 plus a three-month ban, with another BGN 50 for each additional 5 km/h.
Outside a settlement, the corresponding fines are BGN 20, BGN 50, BGN 100, BGN 300 and BGN 400 through the first five bands. More than 50 km/h over costs BGN 600 plus a three-month ban, again increasing by BGN 50 for each additional 5 km/h. 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.
• 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, exceeding the limit by up to 10 km/h costs BGN 20; 11–20 km/h costs BGN 50; 21–30 km/h costs BGN 100; and 31–40 km/h costs BGN 400. More than 40 km/h over costs BGN 600 plus a two-month driving ban. More than 50 km/h over costs BGN 700 plus a three-month ban, with another BGN 50 for each additional 5 km/h.
Outside a settlement, the corresponding fines are BGN 20, BGN 50, BGN 100, BGN 300 and BGN 400 through the first five bands. More than 50 km/h over costs BGN 600 plus a three-month ban, again increasing by BGN 50 for each additional 5 km/h. 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.