Blue license plates are issued to people living in Bulgaria using a residence permit card (the car is registered to an individual). Contains the alphabetic value XX and a combination of numbers of 4 characters, example: “XX 1234”. The validity of vehicle documents (PTS) and the expiration date of the license plates are directly related to the validity period of the personal card. As a result, an annual visit to KAT is required to present a personal card and renewal.
What's the problem?
The possible combinations of the digital part of the number have run out. The government sees a solution to the problem in replacing the letter combination from “XX” to “XN”. It is believed that the problem also arose due to delays in government procurement. The issuance of registration numbers was conditioned by two public procurement contracts for a total amount of BGN 30 million. The results are being appealed by the losers, and until there is a court decision, the winners cannot make the delivery.
Meanwhile, owners of cars with expired license plates have been afraid to pay the insurance contract and the license fee for the past 4 months. Other citizens who bought a car had to register it within one month from the date of purchase, and those who failed to do this for the above reason will be forced to pay a fine of 200 levs. Owners of cars with transit license plates have been required to pay for the renewal for several months now.
When will they be?
The problem arose in early October 2018. Employees of CAT Sofia stated that there are no blue numbers. There is no exact time frame for solving the problem. For anyone who requires blue numbers, KAT employees offer to inquire daily about the situation by calling 029823433. Contacts “Main Directorate of the National Police” here. However, even after four months the problem remains unresolved. The deadline named in CAT Sofia is after February 20, 2018. Previously, the appearance of the numbers was promised on January 1 and 10, 2018.
What to do?
KAT does not issue official certificates or documents confirming the absence of blue license plates. Employees report that traffic inspectors are already aware of the problem and are ready to turn a blind eye to related violations. Friends in misfortune advise you to drive with old license plates very carefully, since the insurance company will most likely refuse to reimburse you if the documents for the car are invalid.
Meanwhile, KAT’s difficulties in issuing license plates to foreigners have already become the subject of discussion in the Bulgarian press:
- “Isn’t this discrimination based on origin? This practice existed in other former societies, but has long been abolished. What is the logic to know that you are a foreigner or a foreign company?
- “For the police, almost all foreigners are enemies of the people. This is why the signs had to be visible from a distance to make identification easier. Blue for smaller enemies and red for larger ones."
- “We are for a single numbering of vehicles in the EU!”