Speeding can catch anyone off guard: Maybe you’re driving at 57 km/h in a 50 km/h zone or you miss a speed limit sign on a country road. Speed limit violations are widespread on the roads, and speed cameras can be watched from anywhere. With the average new car boasting over 120 horsepower, reaching speeds of 150+ km/h is easily within reach, often tempting drivers to speed or push their vehicles to the limits on highways. However, such actions carry significant financial and legal consequences. Speeding significantly increases the risk of traffic fatalities in Bulgaria. Speed limits are in place to protect you, varying by road type and vehicle. Always adhere to them. The speed limit sets the maximum allowed driving speed, but driving at this speed is not always safe under all weather and traffic conditions. Keep reading to learn more about speed limits and fines in Bulgaria.
Speed Limits in Bulgaria
Here is an overview of speed limits in Bulgaria. For cars and vans, the maximum speed permitted in Bulgaria on motorways is 140 km/h; on expressways, it is 120 km/h; on main roads and minor roads outside built-up areas, it is 90 km/h; and in built-up areas, it is 50 km/h, unless otherwise stated by traffic signs. The following are the permitted maximum speeds in Bulgaria (km/h) for all vehicle categories:
Road Type | Motorcycles* | Cars & Vans* | Cars/Vans + Trailer* | Trucks** | Buses*** |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Urban roads | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Non-urban roads | 80 | 90 | 70 | 80 | 80 |
Expressways | 90 | 120 | 90 | 90 | 90 |
Highways | 100 | 140 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
* Motorcycles, passenger cars, and vans with or without trailers below 3.5t.
** Heavy goods vehicles over 3.5t that do not carry dangerous/hazardous materials or goods.
- Urban roads: 40 km/h – maximum speed for vehicles carrying dangerous goods.
- Non-urban roads: 70 km/h for heavy goods vehicles with semitrailers or trailers (Type O3, O4).
- Non-urban roads: 50 km/h for heavy goods vehicles carrying dangerous goods.
- Motorways & Expressways: 90 km/h for heavy goods vehicles with semitrailers or trailers (Type O3, O4).
- Motorways & Expressways: 90 km/h for heavy goods vehicles carrying dangerous goods.
*** If Buses with trailers driving on Non-urban roads – 70 km/h speed limit.
Speeding Fines in Bulgaria
Driving speed checks
Speed checks are initiated ad hoc by road patrols from stationary or moving vehicles. Speed can be measured from a parked police car. Fixed speed traps are also used in the cities and on other roads.
Speed Check Tolerance and Safety Margin
A safety buffer is subtracted from the speed recorded during a radar speed check, with an allowance of 1% to 5% for this margin. This practice stems from potential inaccuracies in the vehicle’s speedometer and the measurement device. For utmost safety, assuming there is no safety margin at all is recommended.
Fines and penalties applied to speeding and repeat offenses
Comparatively limited fines and administrative penalties apply to serious speeding and repeated offenses in Bulgaria (compared to other European countries):
Speeding Fines Regulations (based on Article 182 of the Road Traffic Act)
Within City/Town Limits
- Over by 10 km/h: Fine of 20 BGN
- Over by 11-20 km/h: Fine of 50 BGN
- Over by 21-30 km/h: Fine of 100 BGN
- Over by 31-40 km/h: Fine of 400 BGN
- Over by more than 40 km/h: Fine of 600 BGN
- Over by more than 50 km/h: Fine of 700 BGN and suspension of driving privileges for 3 months. An additional 50 BGN fine for every 5 km/h over 50 km/h.
Outside City/Town Limits
- Over by 10 km/h: Fine of 20 BGN
- Over by 11-20 km/h: Fine of 50 BGN
- Over by 21-30 km/h: Fine of 100 BGN
- Over by 31-40 km/h: Fine of 300 BGN
- Over by 41-50 km/h: Fine of 400 BGN
- Over by over 50 km/h: Fine of 600 BGN and an additional 50 BGN fine for every 5 km/h over 50 km/h.
For Public Passenger and Hazardous Goods Vehicles
- Over by 10 km/h: Fine of 20 BGN
- Over by 11-20 km/h: Fine of 50 BGN
- Over by 21-30 km/h: Fine of 150 BGN
- Over by 31-40 km/h: Fine of 500 BGN
- Over by 41-50 km/h: Fine of 800 BGN
- Over by more than 50 km/h: Fine of 1000 BGN and suspension of driving privileges for 3 months. An additional 50 BGN fine for every 5 km/h over 50 km/h.
Repeated Offenses (as per Article 182 of the Road Traffic Act)
- Double the fine for repeat offenses from points 1-5 in the categories above.
- For repeat offenses, as per the 6th point in the 1st and 3rd categories, fines double, and driving privileges are suspended for 3 months.
Systematic Offenses
- For systematic offenses from points 4-6 in all categories: Double the fine and a 6-month suspension of driving privileges.
- A “systematic offense” is defined as 3 or more violations within a year since the first penalty ticket or electronic slip for the same type of violation.
- Interfering with measuring devices
A driver who uses a device to interfere with the instruments used to measure the motor vehicle’s driving speed pays a fine of BGN 50.
Paying Fines and Tickets
All fines can be paid in cash, via bank transfer, EasyPay outlets, or online at Epay.bg. You will need to retain the ticket and bring it with you. If you pay the penalty on the spot, the police officer will provide you with a payment receipt. By the book, fines above BGN 50 can be disputed. However, chances to dispute a penalty are comparatively low if you only visit the country briefly.
Speed Limits in Miles and Speeding Fines in Bulgaria
Link to the official Road Police fines resource (in Bulgarian language only)