site.btaPeople with Disabilities Insist on Legislative Changes to Obtain Driver's License More Easily

There should be legal changes to facilitate driving and obtaining a driver's license, representatives of organizations of people with disabilities insisted at the BTA National Press Club here on Friday. Bulgaria is the only country in the EU where, in order to obtain a driver's licence, people with disabilities have to buy a car, find a place to adapt it themselves, and then find a driving school that agrees to train them, said Pavel Savov.

Another problem facing disabled drivers is the refusal they receive for a free vignette if their car is more powerful than 160 HP, Savov added. "It is important for us to drive so we can get to social services, to work, to the healthcare system," he said. According to him, data provided by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy show that 18 disabled people were supported under a personal mobility project, and the support was worth BGN 132,880. At the same time, the Ministry says it has given more than BGN 20 million for 237,292 free vignettes, but we do not know to whom they have given them, Savov said, adding that more than two-thirds of wheelchair users buy the vignettes themselves.

People with disabilities, who used to drive three-wheeled motorbikes designed for people with disabilities, are also now restricted, as the State decided years ago that such motorbikes would be driven by those with a category A licence, Savov noted. There is no chance of these people obtaining a category A licence, because they cannot pass the test for two-wheelers, he explained.

Another hurdle for people with disabilities who want to drive is appearing for examinations before the Transport District Medical Expert Committee, said Dr Daniela Dancheva, who is also disabled and a driver. There is such a committee only in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Gorna Oryahovitsa, she specified. Dr. Dancheva insisted that driving and parking privileges should only be granted to people with disabilities.

Kaloyan Stanchev, Chairman of the Automobile Federation of Bulgaria, said that people with disabilities are much more responsible than most drivers, they have a great spirit for competition; they need support, not handouts. 

Car racer Ilia Tzarski also expressed his unconditional support for people with disabilities.

At 10:30 a.m. in Chelopech (Western Bulgaria) on Saturday, people with disabilities will demonstrate masterful driving.