To begin with, I would like to note that in general, problems with road inspectors on Bulgarian highways arise infrequently. The guards, with rare exceptions, behave calmly, sometimes they can let the driver go without a fine, giving a warning, and also, often, treat ladies driving condescendingly. However, do not forget that there are cameras installed on the highways that detect violations of the speed limit and the presence of an unpaid vinet tax. In addition, drivers should keep in mind that since 2019, fines for non-compliance with traffic rules have increased slightly.
Wrong Parking
Those who left the car in a place intended for disabled people will have to pay a fine of 200 leva. Parking on the sidewalk, playgrounds and park areas costs 50-200 levs. Parking at the bus stop intended for public transport - 20-150 levs. While driving in a dedicated lane costs 50 levs.
Vinetna dachshund (vinetka)
The fine for driving without a paid tax on roads marked with a special “vinette” sign is 300 levs for a passenger car, 600 levs for passenger vehicles (up to 9 seats), 1500 levs for cars weighing over 12 tons (buses, trucks), 3000 levs for trucks Fortunately, this year the procedure for purchasing a vignette has been greatly simplified. Read about how to pay for an electronic vinetka in previous article.
Failure to comply with markings and signs
Driving without stopping in front of a stop sign - 20 levs. Ignoring traffic lights and traffic controller gestures - 50 levs, driving through a red light - 100 levs (for repeated violations, 200 levs with deprivation of rights for a month). Inattention at a pedestrian crossing can cost the driver 100 levs, the amount will double in case of repeated violation. Entry “under the brick” costs 30 levs. Failure to comply with the rules for overtaking, changing lanes and starting to move - 20 levs (150 levs if an emergency situation is created on the road). Accident due to incorrect speed and distance - 200 levs.
Documents
A one-way trip with an expired Russian license costs 300 levs. The cost and process of exchanging Russian licenses for Bulgarian ones (without passing the exam) is described in this article. Lack of a car insurance policy - 10 levs, the same cost for driving without documents for a car. Resistance to a traffic inspector and refusal to present documents is punishable by a fine of 50 to 200 levs, followed by possible withdrawal of rights for up to a year.
Alcohol
According to Bulgarian laws, driving a vehicle is permitted if the concentration of alcohol in the blood is no more than 0.5 ppm. According to our Bulgarian friends, this is approximately one glass of wine or one bottle of 5° beer. While the permitted norm in the Russian Federation is 0.16 ppm (one non-alcoholic beer or yogurt). Exceeding the norm by up to 0.8 ppm will lead to a fine of 500 leva and deprivation of rights for up to 6 months. Maintenance from 0.8 to 1.2 - 1000 levs, withdrawal of rights for 1 year. Repeated violation will double the fine. Evading an alcohol (and drug) test will result in a fine of 2,000 leva and confiscation of license for up to 2 years; in a situation where a drunk driver refuses to present a license, the vehicle is deregistered for 12 months. Lending a car to a drunk friend will cost the owner up to 300 levs.
Other violations
Crossing railway tracks in the wrong place - 20-150 levs, stopping on the tracks - 150 levs. Driving in the oncoming lane is 1000 levs and deprivation of rights for 3 months, for a repeated violation - 4000 levs, while the period of deprivation of rights is doubled. Obstructing the movement of an ambulance (or other flashing lights) – 150 BGN.
It costs 50 levs to drive on worn tires in the winter-spring season (from November 15 to March 1), the use of winter tires is mandatory, the tread depth expected by the inspector is 4 mm.
Unreasonably sounding a sound signal in a populated area - 10 levs. Throwing garbage from a car onto the roadway - 30 levs. Use of a radar detector - 50 levs. Driving without license plates - 200-500 levs, possible deprivation of license for up to a year. Driving a car with an unreadable registration number is punishable by 50 levs. Use of a telephone by the driver - 50 levs. Violation of the rules for transporting children - 50 levs. The fine for not wearing a seat belt is 50 levs.