Transportation

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Bulgaria, you may encounter road conditions that significantly differ from those in the United States. The Bulgarian road system is largely underdeveloped. There are few sections of limited-access divided highway. Some roads are in poor repair and full of potholes. Rockslides and landslides may be encountered on roads in mountainous areas. Livestock and animal-drawn carts present road hazards throughout the country, especially during certain agricultural seasons. Travel conditions deteriorate during winter as roads become icy and potholes proliferate. The U.S. Embassy in Sofia advises against driving at night because such road conditions are more dangerous in the dark. Some roads lack pavement markings and lights, and motorists often drive with dim or missing headlights.

Driving in Bulgaria is extremely dangerous. Aggressive driving habits, the lack of safe infrastructure, and a mixture of late model and old model cars on the country’s highways contribute to a high fatality rate in road accidents. Motorists should avoid confrontations with aggressive drivers in Bulgaria. Drivers are known to speed, swerve into oncoming traffic, go the wrong way on divided highways, and participate in other dangerous activities. Motorists should exercise caution and avoid altercations with the drivers of such vehicles, which may be driven by armed organized crime figures. In some cities, traffic lights late at night blink yellow in all directions, leaving the right-of-way unclear and contributing to frequent accidents.

Heavy truck traffic creates numerous hazards along the two-lane routes from the Greek border at Kulata going to Sofia, and from the Turkish border at Kapitan Andreevo to Plovdiv. Motorists should expect long delays at border crossings. A U.S. state driver's license is only valid in Bulgaria when used in conjunction with an International Driving Permit. If pulled over by a police officer, you should be aware that under Bulgarian law, police officers may not collect fines on the spot, but they may confiscate your driver’s license depending upon the offense.

Right turns on red lights are not permitted. All drivers, regardless of the type of motor vehicle, must keep their lights on at all times no matter the time of day or weather. At unregulated crossings, the driver on the right has the legal right-of-way, but this rule is frequently ignored. The use of seat belts is mandatory in Bulgaria for all passengers, except pregnant women. Children under 10 years of age may ride in the front seat only if seated in a child car seat. Please visit European Commission site for latest information on speed limits, traffic fines and regulation.

Drivers may be charged with driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood level as low as 0.05 percent. The penalties for drivers involved in an accident resulting in injury or death range from a US $25 fine to life imprisonment. For specific information concerning Bulgarian driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, please visit the Bulgarian Embassy website.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Also, we suggest that you visit the website of Bulgaria’s national tourist office.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Bulgaria’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Bulgaria’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.