Driving in Bulgaria

The minimum age of a driver 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. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0 mg. 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 and for cars towing a trailer), and 120 kph (74 mph) on expressways (100 kph for motorcycles and for 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, and 100 kph (62 mph) on expressways.

In exception to the priority-on-your-right rule, trams always have priority. Pedestrians on banded cross walks have priority over all vehicles except trams.

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.

Police are empowered to collect fines on the spot; 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; 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.

Tolls

Foreign-registered vehicles using expressways or four-lane roads 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: 210 leva plus a $1 tax for a private car, 390 leva plus a $2 tax for a van with less than 12 seats, 60 leva for a motorcycle.