Speeding can happen in an instant, even if you’re doing 35 mph in a 31 mph zone or miss a speed limit sign on a country road. With today’s average car packing over 120 horsepower, hitting speeds above 90 mph is easy and often tempting on highways. As of 2025, Bulgaria has implemented stricter penalties and advanced enforcement tools, making speeding more dangerous than ever.
Now, speeding doesn’t just result in a fine; it can also lead to a suspended license, especially for more serious violations. Enforcement goes well beyond standard police patrols: municipal and toll cameras now monitor speeds in real time, and average-speed checkpoints are active across major routes. Even unmarked police vehicles are allowed to stop reckless drivers, making it much harder to fly under the radar.
The risk is real. Speeding remains one of the leading causes of traffic deaths in Bulgaria. Speed limits are there to protect everyone; they vary based on road type and vehicle, and while they set the legal maximum, that doesn’t mean it’s always safe to drive at that speed. In bad weather or heavy traffic, slowing down is part of responsible driving.
Speed Limits in Bulgaria
Here’s a quick guide to speed limits in Bulgaria for cars and vans: On motorways, the limit is 87 mph (140 km/h); on expressways, 75 mph (120 km/h); on main and minor roads outside urban areas, 56 mph (90 km/h); and within built-up areas, 31 mph (50 km/h), unless traffic signs indicate otherwise. Remember, speed limit signs in Bulgaria show speeds in kilometers per hour (km/h). The infographics on the right convert these limits to miles per hour (US-style signs) and the original kilometers per hour (EU-style signs). Adapting to Bulgarian speed limit signs might be challenging, but it’s essential when driving in Bulgaria.
The table shows speed limits in kilometers per hour (km/h) in Bulgaria:
* Motorcycles, Passenger cars, Vans with or without trailers below 3.5t (7 716.2 pounds).
** Heavy goods vehicles over 3.5t (7 716.2 pounds) that do not carry hazardous materials or goods.
- Urban roads: 25 mph (40 km/h) – maximum speed for vehicles carrying dangerous goods.
- Non-urban roads: 43 mph (70 km/h) for heavy goods vehicles with semitrailers or trailers (Type O3, O4).
- Non-urban roads: 31 mph (50 km/h) for heavy goods vehicles carrying dangerous goods.
- Motorways & Expressways: 56 mph (90 km/h) for heavy goods vehicles with semitrailers or trailers (Type O3, O4).
- Motorways & Expressways: 56 mph (90 km/h) for heavy goods vehicles carrying dangerous goods.
*** If Buses with trailers drive on non-urban roads, there is a 43 mph (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 cities and on other roads.
Speed Check Tolerance and the Safety Margin
A safety cushion is deducted from the radar speed reading, allowing a 1% to 5% margin (unofficial information that may vary by measuring device and is not a suggestion to drive faster than allowed). This method accounts for possible inaccuracies in the car’s speedometer and the measuring equipment. For maximum safety, it’s advisable to assume there is no safety cushion.
Updated Speeding Fines and Penalties (2025)
Bulgaria tightened speeding sanctions in 2025 and now also fines average-speed violations (section control). Below is a summary of the fines regulated via the new Road Traffic Act:
Speeding in Urban Areas (Built-Up Zones)
- Up to +10 km/h (≈ up to +6 mph): ≈ €10.23 / $12.02
- +11–20 km/h (≈ +7–12 mph): ≈ €25.56 / $30.05
- +21–30 km/h (≈ +13–19 mph): ≈ €51.13 / $60.11 + 2 control points
- +31–40 km/h (≈ +19–25 mph): ≈ €204.52 / $240.43 + 6 points
- Over +40 km/h: ≈ €306.78 / $360.64 + 12 points + 2-month license suspension
- Over +50 km/h (≈ +31+ mph): ≈ €357.90 / $420.75 + 18 points + 3-month suspension
Plus ≈ €25.56 / $30.05 for each additional +5 km/h beyond +50.
Speeding in Rural Areas and Highways (Outside Built-Up Zones)
- Up to +10 km/h (≈ up to +6 mph): ≈ €10.23 / $12.02
- +11–20 km/h (≈ +7–12 mph): ≈ €25.56 / $30.05
- +21–30 km/h (≈ +13–19 mph): (≈ €51.13 / $60.11 + 2 points
- +31–40 km/h (≈ +19–25 mph): ≈ €153.39 / $180.32 + 6 points
- +41–50 km/h (≈ +25–31 mph): ≈ €204.52 / $240.43 + 12 points
- Over +50 km/h: ≈ €306.78 / $360.64 + 18 points + 2-month license suspension
Plus ≈ €25.56 / $30.05 for each additional +5 km/h beyond +50.
How Speed Is Monitored
Police may measure your speed from parked or moving patrol vehicles. Speed traps can be either fixed or mobile, and enforcement often occurs in both urban centers and on national highways. Bulgaria also uses advanced average-speed monitoring systems to track speeds between two points.
New Enforcement Tools (2025)
Recent legal changes have expanded the authorities’ ability to monitor and penalize speeding violations using:
- Fixed speed cameras
- Toll-system surveillance with average-speed tracking
- Unmarked police vehicles equipped with visible blue lights, sirens, or loudspeakers issuing commands in both Bulgarian and English
Revenue collected from municipal speed cameras is split equally between the municipality and the national government.
Repeat & systematic offences
- Average-speed (section control): finable and enforced via certified camera pairs.
- Repeat within 12 months: fine doubles
- Systematic speeding (3+ times/year): 26 control points deducted.
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 €25.56 ($30.05).
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 EUR 25 can be disputed. However, chances to dispute a penalty are comparatively low if you only visit the country briefly.
Exchange-rate note:
- Beginning January 1, 2026, fines are assessed and paid in EUR. USD figures are based on the estimated EUR/USD exchange rate.
