This article is for informational purposes only. All questions about the replacement of a driver's license should be addressed to CAT Bulgaria.

Bulgaria is a wonderful country for car enthusiasts. The road surface is good, there are practically no "traffic jams" on the roads, and the warm climate helps to reduce car wear and safety. Of course, fuel is a little more expensive here, but you can buy a car much cheaper than, for example, in Russia. Therefore, a rare car enthusiast in Bulgaria does without a car, especially if you live far from a big city or the sea. And of course, in order to drive a car, you need a driver's license (a driver's book).

When is it necessary to replace your driver's license with a Bulgarian one?

Foreign nationals residing in Bulgaria in the status of "long-term residence" and having a license issued outside the EU have the right to exercise their national rights for one year in accordance with the Bulgarian Law – ON ROAD TRAFFIC – (Article 162 "Law for Traffic on Roads").  Next, you need to either travel to neighboring countries where a visa is not required (Turkey, Romania, Serbia) and safely drive with your license for another year, or replace it with a Bulgarian license.

In practice, many people use their native license for 5 years, being in the country in the status of a residence permit, since it is difficult to determine whether you left the country during this period or not, so the local traffic police do not demand a change of license.  But we still recommend that you replace your license with a Bulgarian one. The procedure for replacing a license is simple and does not take much time.

The procedure for replacing a driver's license in Bulgaria.

1. Strange as it may seem, but one of the main requirements for obtaining a Bulgarian license is a certificate of secondary education. They require a school leaving certificate, and not a diploma of secondary or higher education.  The certificate should be translated (only the main page needs to be translated, the insert with grades does not need to be translated). Then, on the basis of this document, you receive a "ASSURANCE", that is, a certificate of recognition of your certificate.  You can get such a certificate in the RIO (District Inspectorate for Education).  Write an application, pay the fee and wait from 3 to 6 weeks.
2. While you are waiting for "ASSURANCE", you need to go to any doctor (it does not matter whether it is a frequency or a state clinic) and get a medical certificate of health. To obtain it, you only need to take an identity document with you. It is done quickly and costs about 10-30 leva.
3. Take the document obtained in the RIO, a medical certificate and your own license to the CAT (traffic police of Bulgaria). Your license is taken away.  After the expiration of the new license or by writing an application, you can always get your license back. In CAT, fill out the forms and pay the fee – 30 leva. The term for replacing the license is about 30 days. If necessary, the period can be reduced to 10 days, while the amount of the fee will increase to 50 BGN. Along with the license, you receive a special control coupon, according to which the "dots" for violations are counted. Initially, 39 "points" are given, for violations the "points" are removed.

That's all. Very little effort and you have an international license for a period of 10 years. The license is valid both in Europe and in Russia.

For those who do not have a driver's license.

In order to get a driver's license in Bulgaria, you need to sign up for courses at a driving school, undergo the necessary training, pass a theoretical exam and drive. In addition, it is necessary to take a first aid course in the Red Cross.  Further, the entire procedure for obtaining a license is the same as for the replacement of a license.

MC "Window to Bulgaria"
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