( 19/01/2013 ➔ )
Driving licence exchange in Bulgaria
If you are planning on obtaining a Bulgarian driving licence we would be glad to help! However, doing it yourself may also be an option if you are already in Bulgaria and have a driving licence thats valid for exchange there. If you do not then please contact us as we may be able to help you obtain a driving licence from another country that can be used or exchanged in Bulgaria. Here is some information regarding Bulgarian driving licences and exchange procedures to get you started.
Validity of a motor vehicle driving licence in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, category AM, A1, A2, A, B, B1 and BE driving licences are valid for ten years;
Licences for category C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1, D1E and T vehicles are valid for five years;
Motor vehicle driving licences issued to persons with a permanent disability have a validity of five years;
If you hold a driving licence for life (i.e. one that remains administratively valid for an unlimited period) issued by another EU Member State, you can exchange it once you are registered as having your normal place of residence in the Republic of Bulgaria.
Driving in Bulgaria on a driving licence issued by a country that is a party to the Convention on Road Traffic and meeting the requirements of Annex 6 to that Convention.
Bulgarian citizens may drive motor vehicles in Bulgaria on a foreign driving licence not issued by another EU Member State, another country that is a party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or Switzerland for up tо three months from the date of entry into the country.
Long-term foreign residents may drive motor vehicles in Bulgaria on a licence not issued by an EU Member State, another country that is a party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or Switzerland for up tо one year from the date of entry into the country.
Exchanging driving licences issued outside the EU
Exchanging driving licences not issued by an EU Member State, another country that is a party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or Switzerland — recognition and exchange of licences issued by a country that is a party to the Convention on Road Traffic and meeting the requirements of Annex 6 to that Convention:
- Such driving licences can be exchanged at a traffic police unit in the area where the applicant has his or her permanent address.
- The following documents have to be produced:
- an application completed on a form provided by the traffic police unit;
- a certificate attesting that the driver/applicant has the level of physical fitness required of a holder of a motor vehicle driving licence;
- copy of a certificate of psychological fitness to hold a driving licence for vehicles of categories C1, C, D1, D and Ттм (trams);
- a declaration that the habitual residence of the person concerned is not in another EU Member State and that he or she does not hold a valid driving licence issued by another EU Member State;
- a copy of a document attesting to completion of, at least, basic
education, and, where education was completed in a foreign country, a copy
of a certificate of recognition of, at least, basic education, issued in
accordance with Regulation No 2/2003 on the recognition of completed stages
of schooling or educational degrees and any acquired vocational
qualifications on the basis of documents issued by schools situated in other
countries.
If you have previously exchanged a motor vehicle driving licence in another EU Member State, you may drive in Bulgaria on the valid national driving licence you actually hold.
Specifications:
Categories Category Period of validity AM, A1, A2, A, B, B1 10 years C1, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE 5 years National categories National category Description of national category Tkt Agriculture and forest tractor and agriculture machines. Tkm Tram Codes National codes Description 101 Eye-sight correction and permitted only for a specific vehicle (number of chassis) - a combination of restrictions 01 and 50 103 Driver who has the right to drive vehicle from category D and tram Professional drivers Certificate of professional competence is issued YES Code 95 is marked on the driving licence NO