Driving in Bulgaria | Mandatory Vehicle Equipment 2025
Heading to Bulgaria by car? Not sure if you should have spare bulbs and fuses in your car? Read this article and find out what your vehicle must carry in 2025 and avoid fines for missing items or documents.
Mandatory Vehicle Equipment | Bulgaria 2025
Bulgarians have very similar equipment requirements to other countries in EU. So.. what exactly should you have in your car in Bulgaria?
First-aid kit
(DIN 13164 compliant)
Warning triangle
(type-approved)
Reflective vest
(driver only, stored in cabin)
Fire extinguisher
(with pressure gauge)
Child seats are mandatory!
Child seats are mandatory in Bulgaria for anyone under 150 cm or 36 kg.
Recommended Equipment
- Spare fuses and bulbs
- Jumper cables
- Snow chains (in winter)
- Flashlight
- Ice scraper
- Tow rope
- Accident form
- Multi-tool or knife
- Spare wheel and tools
Fines in Bulgaria
Missing equipment fine: 50 BGN (~€26). Serious underpreparement may also lead to confiscation of vehicle documents during checks.
Mandatory Equipment Bulgaria Are spare bulbs required in a car in Bulgaria?
No. Spare bulbs are not a part of mandatory car equipment under Bulgarian law.
Mandatory Equipment Bulgaria What type of First-aid Kit is needed in Bulgaria?
A DIN 13164-standard kit is recommended and accepted in Bulgaria. Check expiry and completeness before your trip.
Mandatory Equipment Bulgaria What's the mandatory equipment for motorcycles in Bulgaria?
Only requirement: an approved helmet for rider and passenger. Reflective vests are optional but recommended.
Mandatory Documents | Bulgaria
- ID card or passport (min. 6 months valid)
- Driving licence
- Registration certificate with valid inspection
- Third-party liability insurance (OC)
- Authorisation (if driving a leased or borrowed vehicle, in Bulgarian)
In case of damage or theft:
EU insurance is recognised in Bulgaria. Green Card is not required for EU-plated vehicles. To report a claim, provide insurance number, vehicle and driver details, event description, photos, police report, and supporting documents.
Key Traffic Rules | Bulgaria
Road Laws Bulgaria What are the speed limits in Bulgaria?
- Urban: 50 km/h
- Non-urban: 90 km/h
- Motorways/Expressways: 120–140 km/h
Road Laws Bulgaria What are the speeding fines in Bulgaria?
- +10 km/h: up to 20 BGN
- +11–20 km/h: up to 50 BGN
- +21–30 km/h: up to 100 BGN
- +31–40 km/h: up to 400 BGN
- +41–50 km/h: up to 600 BGN
- >50 km/h: 700 BGN + 3-month licence suspension
Road Laws Bulgaria What's the alcohol limit in Bulgaria?
- The alcohol limit for the drivers in Bulgaria is 0.5‰
Road Laws Bulgaria Additional bulgarian road laws worth knowing:
- Headlights: must be on year-round
- Seatbelts required for all passengers
- Phone use only with hands-free
- Only park in designated hotel or paid public parking areas (e.g. Sunny Beach, Golden Sands)
Weekend truck bans in Bulgaria:
Trucks >12t banned on Fridays 16:00–20:00 and Sundays 14:00–20:00. Exceptions apply to food, live animals, ADR cargo.
Tips & Tricks
- Use only monitored parking
- Lock your car while driving
- Avoid leaving luggage in view
- Avoid overnight stops in isolated areas
- Authorisation for borrowed cars must be translated (BG, EN, FR, or DE)
Don't Risk a Fine!
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Buy vignettes BGBulgaria by car | Summary
Bulgaria is quite simmilar to other EU member in terms of road laws. Make sure your car carries a DIN 13164 first-aid kit, warning triangle, reflective vest, and you're good to go. In winter, switch to seasonal tyres and carry chains if driving into mountains. Missing gear or breaking local rules may cost you hundreds (or thousands) of euros.
Have a safe journey!