Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Insurance
Third-party 'liability insurance' is compulsory, and can be purchased at any Bulgarian
border. Buying comprehensive insurance in your home country is a better idea (but make
sure it's valid in Bulgaria). The Green (or Blue) Card - a routine extension of domestic
motor insurance for EU citizens, covering most European countries - is valid in Bulgaria.
The National Bureau of Bulgarian Motor Insurers (
www.nbbaz.bg
) has some useful ad-
vice (in English).
Road Conditions
Aside from the main highways, road conditions in Bulgaria can be very poor. Drivers
must cope with potholes, roads under reconstruction, slow-moving vehicles, horses and
carts and often erratic driving by other motorists.
You should never rely completely on road signs. They're often frustratingly ambiguous
or nonexistent, and most are written in Cyrillic (except around major cities, along the
Black Sea coast and at the borders). One useful map to take on your travels is the
Bul-
garia Road Atlas
(1:330,000) published by Domino in Cyrillic and English, and widely
available at bookshops in Bulgaria.
Road Hazards
Bulgaria's roads are among the most dangerous in Europe, and the number of road deaths
each year is high. The worst time is the holiday season (July to September), with drink-
driving, speeding and poor road conditions, inlcluding potholes, contributing to accidents.
Sofia and roads along the Black Sea coast can be particularly nerve-wracking.
Road Rules
Road signs are rare, but official
speed limits
are enforced by traffic police and speed cam-
eras have been installed on main routes.
»
Built-up areas
- 50km/h
»
Main roads
- 90km/h
»
Motorways
- 120km/h
There are a number of road rules you are required, by law, to follow.
»Drivers and passengers in the front must wear seat belts, and motorcyclists must wear
helmets.
»The blood-alcohol limit is 0.05%.
