Bulgaria
is one of the least explored nations of the European frontier, enclosed
by Greece, Romania, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Turkey. A small
portion of the country opens up to the Turkish Straits, making Bulgaria
an important stop points between Asia, the Middle East, and European
land routes. Surrounded by stunning golden cathedrals and attractive
nightlife, this tiny European country is yet to receive its due
recognition.
Marked
as one of the exotic destinations of the European continent,
undoubtedly one of the best ways of exploring Bulgaria through road
trips. With cheaper fuel and manageable prices, you can car hire from Sofia airport and
explore the fascinating country. But there is a catch, travelers
exploring the nation on four wheels, need to know a few of the vital
pointers before grabbing the front wheel.
Legal age for driving and other formalities
For
Bulgarians, the legal age for driving is 18 years. But there is a catch
- in Bulgaria, you cannot rent an automobile before your 21st birthday.
Additionally, you will need a valid driving license for at least one
year – before renting a car.
For
international travelers, a passport is a must while renting the
vehicle. By the Bulgarian transport laws, travelers are required to
carry car insurance as well as international driving permit, issued by
the home country, for driving in Bulgaria. The Bulgarian law further
mandates that, the passengers should carry the following items while
driving on the roads:
- Warning triangles
- Headlight beam reflectors
- First aid and fire extinguisher
- Reflective jacket
Usually, most of these items come with the car, when you hire a vehicle from a reputable car rental agency.
Driving on the Bulgarian road
In
Europe, you ride on the right side of the road and overtake from the
left. And Bulgaria is no exception. For travelers coming from countries
where the cars are driving on the other side of the road, it might
require a bit of adjustment.
Also,
you need to wear a seatbelt while driving on the road. This rule
applies to the passenger on the backseat. Children below the age of 12
cannot sit on the front seat. For toddlers, you may bring in your car
seat.
Interestingly,
you are required to keep your car headlights on (during the day time as
well) and dipped while driving. Additionally, Bulgarian Trams hold the right of the way (ROW) in the urban regions. So, in the cities, you have to give them access to the roads while driving.
Some additional things to remember:
- You cannot horn your car in the urban region post 10 pm till 6 am (exceptions are permitted)
- Wearing a seat belt is must
- Cannot talk on the phone or drink while driving
- You cannot drive in Bulgaria while wearing flip-flops, high heels or sunglasses
Vignette stickers and Parking regulation
While
traveling outside the Bulgarian metropolis, rental cars need vignette
stickers. These stickers signify that you have paid the road tax. Rental
cars hired from reliable car hire agencies are pre-fitted with these
stickers. However, remember to recheck before boarding the car.
In
the Bulgarian metropolis, like Sofia, the parking is divided into two
zones – blue and green – demarcated by road signs. You can book your
parking slot by sending an SMS to the dedicated phone number. These
parking spots come with time limitations, and failure to honors these
markings can lead to a hefty fine.
Lastly,
Some of the reputed car hire Sofia airport agencies like Val & Kar
will provide you with the necessary information and assistance
regarding road regulations and other important stuff. For more
information, visit http://www.val-kar.com/en/ or call 3598-786-66944.
