site.btaNew Traffic Rules Come Into Force on September 7

New rules in the Road Traffic Act affecting drivers of motor vehicles, electric vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists come into force on Sunday, September 7. The changes were voted on by Parliament and promulgated in the State Gazette on August 5, 2025.

Average speed detection

According to the adopted changes, the ban on exceeding the maximum permissible speeds will also apply to the average speed in a given section of the road. The control system will use cameras installed at the beginning and end of the section, with "average speed" defined as the speed at which a vehicle travels a certain section of the road for a certain time, determined by an automated technical device or section control system.

Crossing railroad tracks

It is prohibited to: cross a railway outside of railway crossings; arbitrarily raise a lowered barrier or bypass it; shift gears on a vehicle at a railway crossing and cross it with the gears disengaged; reverse on a railway crossing.

Driving in the emergency lane

When driving on a motorway, drivers are prohibited from driving in the opposite lane or in the emergency lane. This was already prohibited, but with the exception of vehicle breakdowns and health problems of the driver or passengers in the vehicle. No exceptions are now allowed.

Smooth braking

When braking, the speed of the road vehicle must be reduced smoothly. Sudden braking is prohibited, unless it is necessary to avoid a traffic accident. To give way to road users who have right of way, braking must be carried out in the lane occupied.

Prohibition of mobile devices

The driver of a motor vehicle is prohibited from using a mobile communication device or other mobile device while driving the vehicle, except through a device that allows hands-free use or through the communication and control systems of the vehicle.

Pedestrian crossing

When approaching a pedestrian crossing, the driver of a non-rail road vehicle is obliged to give way to pedestrians who are signalling that they are about to cross the road at the pedestrian crossing, who are standing on the pedestrian crossing or who are crossing it, by slowing down or stopping.

Involvement in an accident

A driver of a road vehicle involved in a road traffic accident is obliged: when people have been injured in the accident, not to consume alcohol or narcotic substances or their analogues until the arrival of the control authorities.

When the accident has caused only property damage, if the parties involved in the accident do not agree on the circumstances related to it, they shall, without leaving the scene of the accident, notify the relevant control service of the Ministry of the Interior in the territory where the accident occurred and follow the instructions given to them, refraining from consuming alcohol and/or narcotic substances or their analogues until the arrival of the control authorities.

Child restraint systems

Child restraint systems must be used for children under 150 centimeters tall traveling in motor vehicles of categories M1, N1, N2, and N3.

Technical inspection

A roadworthiness test is carried out after establishing that the owner or the user listed in the registration certificate has no outstanding obligations, as well as the person presenting the road vehicle for technical inspection on the date of the inspection, for payment of a fine or property sanction for a violation of this law committed with the same vehicle, imposed by a final penalty order, ticket or electronic ticket.

Driving with a foreign driver's license

Bulgarian citizens may drive motor vehicles on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria with a foreign national license when it is not issued by a Member State of the European Union or by another country party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, or by the Swiss Confederation within one year of their entry into the country.

Pedestrians

When crossing the road, pedestrians are required to use pedestrian crossings and observe the following rules: before stepping onto the road, they must stop, look left and right, and take into account approaching vehicles; not to use a mobile phone or other mobile communication device or any other device that distracts their attention; to give way to approaching rail vehicles.

Pedestrians are prohibited from: walking in tunnels and on bridges where there are no sidewalks; crossing the roadway immediately behind or in front of a bus, tram, or trolleybus stopped at a regular public transport stop.

Individual electric vehicle

The minimum age for driving an individual electric vehicle is 16 years.

The driver of an individual electric vehicle is required to: drive a roadworthy individual electric vehicle with a maximum speed of up to 25 km/h; wear a protective helmet, regardless of age; when crossing the roadway, to move in accordance with the rules of the road, taking into account approaching vehicles and without taking precedence over them, and if crossing the roadway at a pedestrian crossing, to dismount from the individual electric vehicle and cross on foot.

Valid civil liability insurance is required to cover the insured's liability for damage caused to third parties.

The driver of an individual electric vehicle is prohibited from: driving an individual electric vehicle that is not registered, the terms and conditions for registration being determined by a municipal council regulation; driving during the dark hours of the day; drive the vehicle without holding the handlebars with their hands or in a manner that creates a danger to other road users, including jumping or riding on one wheel; using a mobile phone, other mobile communication device, or other device that distracts their attention, except for devices that allow their use without the use of their hands while driving an individual electric vehicle; leading animals.

It is also prohibited to park the vehicle in parks, gardens, squares, playgrounds, sports grounds, green areas, areas intended for pedestrians only, sidewalks, as well as at the entrances to metro stations or buildings, public transport stops, crosswalks, and in front of ramps for access by persons with disabilities, except in designated areas.

Cyclists

Cyclists are required to: wear a reflective vest or reflective elements on the visible part of their clothing, allowing them to be easily seen when riding outside built-up areas, during the dark hours of the day and in conditions of reduced visibility, to ride their bicycle with a white or yellow light switched on at the front; when crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing, to dismount from their bicycle and cross on foot.

Cyclists are prohibited from: carrying other persons on the bicycle, except for children under six years of age or weighing up to 27 kg in specially designed and certified child seats or seats, unless the bicycle is manufactured for use by more than one person; carry other persons on the bicycle if they are under 18 years of age; using a mobile phone, other mobile communication device, or other device that distracts their attention while riding, except for devices that can be used without their hands; leading animals if they are riding on the roadway.

All changes affecting drivers of motor vehicles, electric vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians can be found on the website of the State Agency for Road Safety.