General information
General overview
Roadworthiness of a vehicle is attested by a roadworthiness certificate, a proof of test and a periodic roadworthiness sticker . The proof of test must be carried in the vehicle. The periodic roadworthiness sticker must be attached onto the lower left corner of the windscreen of the vehicle. For trailers, semi-trailers and motorcycles, it must be attached onto the designated location in the proof of test . The month and the year of the next test are indicated on the periodic roadworthiness sticker by perforation.
Test frequency
|
Categories or types of vehicles |
First mandatory test |
Subsequent tests |
|
M1 |
Within three years after the date of first registration |
Within five years after the date of first registration then every year |
|
M1 used as taxis |
Within six months after the date of first registration |
Every six months |
|
M1 used as ambulances |
Within one year after the date of first registration |
Every year |
|
M2 and M3 |
Within six months after the date of first registration |
Every six months |
|
M1, M2 and M3 camping vehicles |
Within one year after the date of first registration |
Every year |
|
N1 |
Within three years after the date of first registration |
Within five years after the date of first registration then every year |
|
N2 and N3 registered for the first time not more 10 years ago |
Within one year after the date of first registration |
Every year |
|
N2 and N3, registered for the first time more 10 years ago |
Within six months after the date of first registration |
Every six months |
|
O1 |
Within two years after the date of first registration |
Every two years |
|
O2, О3 and О4 registered for the first time not more 10 years ago |
Within one year after the date of first registration |
Every year |
|
O2, О3 and О4 registered for the first time more 10 years ago |
Within six months after the date of first registration |
Every six months |
|
O2, О3 and О4 camping vehicles |
Within one year after the date of first registration |
Every year |
|
L3e, L4e, L5e and L7e |
Within two years after the date of first registration |
Every two years |
|
Wheeled tractors with a maximum design speed exceeding 40 km/h |
Within one year after the date of first registration |
Every year |
As of 01/01/2022, vehicles in categories L1e, L2e and L6e are subject to periodic roadworthiness tests every two years.
Armed forces vehicles, specialised vehicles used for firefighting purposes and wheeled tractors with a maximum design speed not exceeding 40 km/h are not subject to periodic roadworthiness tests.
Responsible authorities
The roadworthiness certificates and the proof of test are issued by persons authorised to carry out periodic roadworthiness tests of road vehicles. These can be: • natural or legal authorised by the Minister of Transport, Information Technology and Communications to carry out periodic roadworthiness tests; • persons registered to carry out periodic vehicle roadworthiness tests in accordance with the legislation of another EU Member State or another State which is a party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area. The periodic roadworthiness tests are carried out at the testing centres of the persons authorised to carry out the tests. The national competent authority for the periodic roadworthiness tests of vehicles is the Road Transport Administration Executive Agency.
Websites
https://rta.government.bg/index.php?page=scategories&scategory=obrazci (specimens of certificates) (Bulgarian, explanations in English)
https://rta.government.bg/images/Image/check-inspection/index.html (validity of a test) (Bulgarian and English)
Major changes
As of 20/05/2018, the provisions of Directive 2014/45/EU on roadworthiness tests for motor vehicles are transposed into the Road Traffic Act and Regulation No H-32 of 16 December 2011 of Bulgaria, amended for this purpose in January 2018 and May 2018 respectively.
