Rules
The main rules for riders under the Bulgarian Road Traffic Act (ЗДвП).
as of 2026 · Last checked: 26.10.2026
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Speed limits (categories A and A2)
- In a built-up area: 50 km/h
- Outside built-up areas: 90 km/h
- Motorway: 140 km/h
- Expressway: 120 km/h
- Category A1: 50 km/h in built-up areas, 80 km/h outside; no motorways or expressways
- Road sign: a different limit shown by a sign must be obeyed
- Average speed: the limit also applies to the average speed over a section
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Alcohol and drugs
- Legal limit: up to 0.5 per mille of alcohol in the blood
- 0.5 to 0.8 per mille: fine €255.65 (500 leva) and a 6-month licence suspension
- 0.8 to 1.2 per mille: fine €511.29 (1000 leva) and a 12-month licence suspension
- Over 1.2 per mille: a criminal offence
- Drugs: riding after use is a criminal offence
- Refusing a test: fine €1022.58 (2000 leva) and a 2-year licence suspension
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Documents and equipment
- Driving licence for the right category (A1, A2 or A)
- Registration certificate of the motorcycle
- Valid third-party liability insurance
- Helmet for the rider and the passenger
- First-aid kit (recommended)
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Technical inspection
- Motorcycles have a periodic technical inspection at a licensed station
- How often depends on the age of the motorcycle: see the date in the report of the last inspection
- You can check whether the inspection is valid online on the Automobile Administration Executive Agency site
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Fines for speeding and helmets
- Up to 10 km/h over the limit: €10.23 (20 leva)
- 11 to 20 km/h: €25.56 (50 leva)
- 21 to 30 km/h: €51.13 (100 leva)
- 31 to 40 km/h: €204.52 (400 leva) in built-up areas, €153.39 (300 leva) outside
- 41 to 50 km/h: €306.78 (600 leva) and a 2-month suspension in built-up areas, €204.52 (400 leva) outside
- Over 50 km/h: €357.90 (700 leva) and a 3-month suspension in built-up areas, €306.78 (600 leva) and a suspension outside; plus €25.56 (50 leva) for every further 5 km/h
- No helmet (rider or passenger): €51.13 (100 leva)
- Repeat offence: a higher fine, in some cases double or triple
Source: Bulgarian Road Traffic Act (art. 21, 174, 182, 183), amended State Gazette no. 64 of 2025; handbook of the State Road Safety Agency.
The law sets the fines in leva; the euro amounts use the fixed rate of 1.95583 leva per euro.
This is a short summary, not legal advice. If in doubt, check the current text of the law.