Bulgaria – Driving Licenses

Can foreign nationals drive in Bulgaria on their home country licence, and for how long?

Driving licences issued by any EU member state, EEA country, or Switzerland are fully recognised in Bulgaria with no expiry on that recognition. Holders are under no obligation to swap their licence for a Bulgarian one, though they are entitled to do so if they wish. This means that whether your licence comes from France, Germany, the Netherlands, or any other EU/EEA nation, you can continue to rely on it throughout your time in Bulgaria.

Foreign nationals holding a non-EU licence are permitted to drive in Bulgaria on that licence — as long as it is accompanied by a legalised or notarised Bulgarian translation — for a maximum of one year from the date their first Bulgarian residence permit is issued. This one-year window begins from the moment the residence document is granted, not from the date of entry into the country.

Once this one-year period has elapsed, the non-EU licence must be replaced with a Bulgarian one. The rules therefore differ considerably depending on whether you are a tourist, a short-stay visitor, or someone establishing permanent residence. Tourists driving in Bulgaria may use a valid foreign licence for up to three months, provided they carry either a legalised Bulgarian translation of that licence or an International Driving Permit (IDP).

In all cases, your foreign driving licence must be supported by a legalised Bulgarian translation or an IDP, and you must be at least 18 years of age, holding a licence issued by an EU member state, EEA country, Switzerland, or a country that has ratified the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. This is an important practical consideration — travelling with only the original licence and no translation or IDP may lead to difficulties if you are stopped at a police checkpoint.

Does Bulgaria have licence exchange agreements with other countries?

Certain countries have entered into bilateral agreements with Bulgaria allowing for a straightforward licence transfer, meaning holders do not need to enrol in a driving school or sit any examinations. The application for a direct transfer is submitted at the Traffic Police office. This represents a considerable advantage over the full replacement route, which requires passing both written and practical tests.

Countries reported to have bilateral agreements with Bulgaria include the UK, Israel, UAE, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, North Macedonia, South Korea, Iran, and Georgia. This list is not exhaustive, however, and agreements may be added, revised, or lapse over time. You should always verify whether your country of licence issue currently has an active agreement with Bulgaria by contacting the Bulgarian Traffic Police (KAT) or the Ministry of Interior directly before making any plans.

Beyond individual bilateral arrangements, EU and non-EU nationals who hold a valid licence issued by a country that is a signatory to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic of 8 November 1968 may also be eligible to exchange it for a Bulgarian licence. This multilateral framework operates alongside the separate bilateral agreements and provides an additional route for those whose countries have not concluded a specific deal with Bulgaria.

It is worth noting an important limitation of the bilateral transfer route: a Bulgarian licence obtained through a direct bilateral exchange is valid only within Bulgaria and is not recognised across the EU more broadly. This is a critical factor for expats who intend to drive in other European countries. Anyone who requires EU-wide recognition of their driving licence should pursue the full driving test route rather than a bilateral transfer.

Where no exchange agreement is in place and the licence does not fall within the scope of the Vienna Convention, the applicant must pass both the theoretical and practical Bulgarian driving examinations and be issued a Bulgarian licence. It is strongly advisable to confirm your individual circumstances with the Traffic Police before deciding which route to follow.

How do you exchange or convert a foreign driving licence in Bulgaria?

Licence exchanges in Bulgaria are administered by the Traffic Police (KAT) and follow a process broadly similar to that used in other countries — for instance, Germany and France both require applicants to surrender their existing licence to the relevant authority in exchange for a local one. What distinguishes the Bulgarian process for non-EU licences is the additional requirement to provide a medical certificate and proof of educational attainment.

Since the start of 2022, a licence exchange for a Bulgarian one is only possible if the applicant has been physically resident in Bulgaria for a minimum of six months prior to submitting the application. This residency period is measured from the date the residence permit was issued, rather than from the date the applicant actually moved to Bulgaria.

The step-by-step procedure for exchanging a foreign driving licence for a Bulgarian one at the Traffic Police (KAT) is as follows:

1. Confirm your eligibility. You must hold a Bulgarian identity document and be residing in Bulgaria. You must not hold another valid driving licence issued by an EU Member State, and you must not be subject to any driving restriction or temporary disqualification in any Member State.
2. Obtain a medical certificate. A driver’s physical fitness assessment card is required, issued by your general practitioner (GP), the Transport District Expert Committee (TOLEC), or the Transport Central Medical Expert Committee. The cost of this certificate is approximately 30–40 BGN as of 2025.
3. Assemble your documents. You will need to provide the physical original of your driving licence and a copy, a copy of your Bulgarian residence permit, an education recognition certificate (required where your licence was not issued by an EU country), and the medical certificate.
4. Have your educational qualifications recognised (non-EU applicants). You will need an original school certificate confirming completion of at least 10th grade (for those who completed 8th grade after 26 September 2017), or a high school diploma or university degree that has been recognised by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education. The Education Certificate (Uverenie/Уверение) is obtained by applying to the Regional Department of Education (RDE) in your city of residence in Bulgaria.
5. Lodge the application at the Traffic Police (KAT). The application form is generated automatically by the Ministry of Interior’s information system. Your details are populated automatically — you simply review the information and confirm it with your signature. There is no form to complete in advance.
6. Pay the applicable fee. The fee for applicants under 58 years of age is BGN 25; for those aged 58–70, it is BGN 11; for persons with a disability of 50% or above, it is BGN 3; and persons over 70 are exempt from payment. Choosing the express service doubles the applicable fee (as of 2025). An additional BGN 2 is charged for the control coupon, which forms part of the driving licence.
7. Await processing and collect your licence in person. Standard processing takes up to 30 days; the express service is completed within up to 10 days (as of 2025). The new driving licence and control coupon must be collected in person, even where the application was lodged by an authorised representative on your behalf.
8. Return your original licence. When you collect your new Bulgarian licence and control coupon, your old foreign licence must be surrendered. In cases where an EU licence is exchanged, it is returned to the authority that issued it, together with an explanation of the reason for the transfer.

During the processing period, a Traffic Police officer carries out a thorough review of the submitted documents, which includes a check through the European driving licences information system (EUCARIS). Always consult the official MVR website for the current fee schedule and any changes to required documentation, as these are subject to revision.

How do you apply for a driving licence in Bulgaria from scratch?

Expats who do not hold a recognised foreign licence, or whose licence is ineligible for exchange, must go through Bulgaria’s full licensing process. While it is possible to replace a non-EU licence with a Bulgarian one without completing an entire driving course, both the theoretical and practical exams must still be passed. Those who have no prior licence at all — or whose licence cannot be exchanged under any available route — must complete the full training programme from beginning to end.

A Bulgarian ID card with a Personal Foreigner Number is a prerequisite. Both EU and non-EU citizens are required to hold this card, as it is mandatory for registration at a driving school and for sitting the required examinations.

You are entitled to begin a driving course for any vehicle category — cars, lorries, motorcycles — once you have obtained a residence permit. However, the earliest point at which you can formally apply for the physical driving licence at the Traffic Police office is six months after your residence permit is issued.

The complete process for obtaining a Bulgarian driving licence for the first time involves the following steps:

1. Meet the eligibility criteria. The minimum age for obtaining a driving licence in Bulgaria is 18 for standard passenger cars and motorcycles. A valid Bulgarian residence permit and ID card are also required.
2. Have your educational qualifications recognised. Evidence of having completed at least 10th grade is required when applying for a licence at the Traffic Police. Where a diploma was awarded abroad, it must be recognised by the Regional Department of Education in Bulgaria before it can be used.
3. Obtain a medical certificate. A medical fitness assessment card is needed, available from a GP or an approved medical centre. The cost is approximately 30–40 BGN as of 2025.
4. Complete a First Aid course. Attendance at a Red Cross course covering pre-medical assistance in the event of road accidents is mandatory. A completion certificate from this course is required at the time of application.
5. Enrol in and complete a driving school programme. The full course comprises theoretical and practical components, each concluding with an examination. The programme typically takes between one and a half to two months depending on your schedule and personal progress. The theoretical component involves a combination of group face-to-face sessions, online classes, and independent study, and generally spans around two weeks.
6. Sit the theory examination. The full database of official exam questions and answers is accessible online, with practice tests available for preparation. Driving schools commonly provide study materials in multiple languages.
7. Sit the practical examination. Under Bulgarian law, the practical exam is conducted in Bulgarian. During your driving course, you will receive a workbook covering relevant Bulgarian pronunciation, and your instructor will teach you the basic terms required during the test. The exam is overseen by inspectors from the Ministry of Transport, who issue instructions in Bulgarian; your instructor, who is also present in the vehicle, translates these for you.
8. Apply for your licence at the Traffic Police (KAT). Applications can be made at the KAT office three working days after passing all required examinations. The fee for issuing the licence is BGN 25 for the standard 30-day service (as of 2025). Consult the official KAT website for the current fee schedule before submitting your application.

In order to sit the official theoretical and practical examinations, your existing driving licence must have been translated into Bulgarian and notarised. Driving schools that work with foreign nationals can assist with navigating the administrative requirements and typically supply study materials in languages other than Bulgarian.

How do you renew a driving licence in Bulgaria?

Standard Bulgarian driving licences for category B (passenger cars) are valid for 10 years. Licences for categories C, D, E, and T — covering commercial and heavy vehicles — are valid for 5 years. A licence may also be issued for a period of up to 5 years on medical grounds. This approach to renewal cycles sits within the broader European norm — comparable systems exist in France and Germany, for example, though Bulgaria’s 10-year period for category B is somewhat shorter than the 15-year periods used in those countries.

Once a driving licence expires, it must be renewed in the holder’s country of normal residence — defined as the country in which they live for a minimum of 185 days per calendar year, based on personal or professional ties. For expats whose habitual residence is Bulgaria, renewal must therefore be carried out in Bulgaria.

When a licence is renewed in Bulgaria, the new licence will carry a 10-year validity and will be subject to Bulgarian conditions and restrictions. This is worth keeping in mind if you previously held a licence from a jurisdiction with a longer validity period.

The documents required for renewal of an expired licence include a medical examination card for a motor vehicle driver, which must incorporate findings from an ophthalmologist and a specialist in internal medicine for standard category B licences. Renewal is carried out in person at the Traffic Police (KAT) office in your district. The fee for renewal is BGN 25 for those under 58 years of age, and BGN 11 for those aged 58–70. Holders over the age of 70 are exempt from payment (as of 2025). Always check the current fees on the official Ministry of Interior website before attending.

Is an International Driving Permit valid in Bulgaria?

Bulgaria became a contracting party to the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic upon accession in February 1963, and subsequently acceded to the 1968 Convention on Road Traffic in December 1978. As a result of participation in both conventions, Bulgaria recognises IDPs issued under either framework.

IDPs issued under the 1949 Convention, which carry a validity of one year, are accepted in Bulgaria, as are those issued under the 1968 Convention, which are valid for three years. Bulgaria additionally recognises IDPs issued under the 1926 International Convention, valid for one year. This is a wider scope of acceptance than is found in some other European countries, which may only honour one type of IDP.

An IDP functions solely as a translation of, and must always be presented alongside, the national driving licence to which it relates. The two documents must be carried together at all times; neither is valid without the other. Foreign driving licences used in Bulgaria must be accompanied by either a legalised Bulgarian translation or an IDP.

The one-year grace period that applies to non-EU licence holders extends equally to International Driving Permits — once a year has passed from the date of the residence permit, an IDP is no longer sufficient and a Bulgarian licence must be obtained. An IDP is therefore most relevant for tourists and those making short-duration visits rather than for people settling in Bulgaria over the longer term.

If you are residing in Bulgaria on a permanent or extended basis, local licensing laws apply to you regardless of whether you continue to hold a domestic licence from another country. Many countries require residents to obtain a local licence once they have taken up employment or established residency. Holding an IDP does not release long-term residents from this obligation.

What are the penalties for driving licence offences in Bulgaria?

The framework governing penalties for road traffic violations in Bulgaria is established by the Road Traffic Act and enforced by the Traffic Police (KAT). Consequences for licence-related violations may include financial penalties, points added to your driving record, suspension of the licence, or disqualification. The overall structure is broadly comparable to points-based systems found elsewhere in the EU, though Bulgaria’s specific thresholds and fine amounts are distinct.

Driving without a valid licence — which includes failing to obtain a Bulgarian licence after the one-year grace period for non-EU holders has expired — can result in fines and, in more serious cases, the impoundment of the vehicle. Fines in Bulgaria may be issued on the spot by officers drawing up a protocol, sent by post following detection by speed cameras, or checked online or directly at a police office. Bulgaria operates a discount system for prompt payment: settling a fine within one month of receiving it qualifies for a 30% reduction.

If a fine remains unpaid after one month and the driver is subsequently stopped, police have the authority to confiscate the driving licence at that inspection. This represents a significant practical risk for anyone who fails to respond to penalty notices.

Bulgaria has also moved to tighten its penalty regime for serious traffic violations more broadly. Exceeding the speed limit by more than 40 km/h within a built-up area results in a two-month licence suspension and a financial penalty. Repeat violations lead to a three-month suspension and a doubled fine; a third or further offence attracts a six-month ban and a fine three times the original amount.

The exact fine amounts and points allocations for specific licence-related infractions — such as driving without a valid licence or continuing to use an expired foreign licence — are set out in the Road Traffic Act and may be amended by legislation. The figures cited here were accurate as of 2025 but may change. Always verify the current position with the Ministry of Interior or a qualified Bulgarian legal adviser.

Which government departments or agencies handle driving licences in Bulgaria?

The driving licence process in Bulgaria involves a number of different official bodies. Knowing which agency is responsible for each stage will help you avoid unnecessary delays and confusion.

• Traffic Police (KAT — Контрол на автомобилния транспорт): The administrative service for initial licence issue, licence exchange, and renewal is provided by the Traffic Police units within the Metropolitan Directorate of the Interior and the Provincial Directorates of the Ministry of the Interior. This is your main point of contact for all licence-related applications, exchanges, and renewals. Official website: mvr.bg/opp/en.
• Ministry of Interior (MVR): The Ministry of Interior has oversight of the Traffic Police and publishes the official procedures governing licence exchange and issuance. An English-language portal for administrative services is available at mvr.bg.
• Regional Department of Education (RDE): The Education Certificate (Uverenie) required by non-EU applicants when obtaining a Bulgarian licence for the first time is issued by the Regional Department of Education in the applicant’s city of residence.
• Ministry of Transport and Communications: The Ministry of Transport is the body responsible for accrediting driving schools in Bulgaria. You can verify whether a particular school holds accreditation on the Ministry’s official website, which is available in Bulgarian. Official website: mtitc.government.bg.
• Bulgarian Red Cross: A first aid course certificate from the Red Cross is a compulsory document when applying for a Bulgarian driving licence. Courses can be arranged through local Red Cross branches across the country.
• egov.bg Portal: Bulgaria’s e-government portal provides official guidance in English on how to obtain and renew driving licences, accessible at egov.bg.

For in-person appointments, you must attend the Traffic Police unit covering the district in which your registered address of residence falls — your application is handled by the main KAT office of the district corresponding to the address shown on your residence permit. Office staff will generally communicate in Bulgarian, so bringing a Bulgarian-speaking companion or using a driving school that offers administrative support is a practical step worth considering.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive in Bulgaria on my EU driving licence indefinitely?

Yes. A valid driving licence issued by any EU member state, EEA country, or Switzerland is recognised in Bulgaria without any time restriction. You are not required to exchange it for a Bulgarian licence, though you may do so voluntarily. Should your EU licence expire while you are living in Bulgaria, it must be renewed in Bulgaria if that is your country of normal residence.

Do I need to retake my driving test in Bulgaria?

This depends on your specific circumstances. If your country of licence issue has a bilateral agreement with Bulgaria permitting a direct transfer, no driving school enrolment or examinations are necessary. If you are replacing a non-EU licence that qualifies under the Vienna Convention but where no bilateral agreement exists, you are not required to complete a full driving course, but you must pass both the theoretical and practical examinations. Only those with no eligible existing licence must undertake the complete training programme.

How long does it take to get a Bulgarian driving licence?

For a licence exchange, the standard processing time is up to 30 days; the express service is completed within up to 10 days (as of 2025). For those required to complete the full driving course, the process typically takes between one and a half to two months, after which the application for the physical licence is submitted to the Traffic Police.

Can I drive in Bulgaria with a US or Canadian licence?

All foreign nationals may drive in Bulgaria on a non-EU licence — accompanied by a legalised or notarised Bulgarian translation — for up to one year from the date of their residence permit. After that period, the licence must be replaced with a Bulgarian one. Neither the United States nor Canada appears among the countries with bilateral exchange agreements with Bulgaria, meaning holders of licences from these countries would need to sit the theory and practical examinations to obtain a Bulgarian licence. Always confirm the current position directly with the Traffic Police.

Do I need to surrender my foreign licence when I get a Bulgarian one?

Yes. On collecting your new Bulgarian driving licence and control coupon, you are required to hand over your original foreign licence. Where an EU licence is being exchanged, it is customarily returned to the issuing country’s authorities accompanied by an explanation of the reason for the transfer.

Is a direct bilateral licence transfer in Bulgaria valid across the EU?

No. A Bulgarian driving licence obtained through a direct bilateral transfer is valid only within Bulgaria and is not recognised in other EU member states. If you need your licence to be recognised throughout the EU, you should pursue the full driving test route to obtain a standard Bulgarian licence rather than relying on a bilateral transfer.

What is the minimum age to drive in Bulgaria?

The minimum age to obtain a driving licence for standard passenger cars and motorcycles in Bulgaria is 18. Lower age thresholds apply to lighter vehicle categories — for instance, light motorcycles classified as category AM may be driven from age 16.

Where do I go to exchange my licence in Bulgaria?

You submit your application at the main Traffic Police (KAT) office covering the district in which your address is registered on your residence permit. The official English-language page for the licence exchange service is available at mvr.bg.