Radar fines in Bulgaria: how they are sent to Romania and road tolls to know in 2024

Bulgarian coastline remains one of the favorite vacation destinations for Romanians choosing the Black Sea coast, valued for resorts such as Sunny Beach, Golden Sands, Varna, and Burgas, as well as for its rich historical and cultural heritage. But before hitting the road, it is essential to know the traffic rules and the penalties system of this EU country, especially since Bulgarian authorities have implemented new road tolls and modernized the system for tracking offenders.

This article explains how radar fines are handled, how they are sent to Romania, and the road tolls you should know for passenger cars and commercial vehicles in 2024.

Bulgarian radar fines are sent to Romania

A common question among Romanian drivers traveling to Bulgaria is whether they can ignore fines received for speeding detected by fixed radars. The answer is clear: you cannot ignore these fines.

Since January 2017, a European normative act has been in force to facilitate cross-border information exchange between EU member states. This means that Romanian drivers who commit offenses in European Union countries will receive the fines directly at their home address in Romania.

Which offenses are covered by this system

European legislation targets a wide range of traffic violations:

• Excessive speeding (detected by fixed or mobile radars)
• Failure to wear a seat belt
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or banned substances
• Running a red light
• Improper use of the traffic lane
• Other serious traffic violations

How fines are paid

Once the fine is received at home, payment can be made through:

• Postal services
• Financial institutions
• Electronic payment instruments
• National online electronic payment system using a bank card

It is important to know that authorities may resort to enforcement proceedings at any time for failure to comply with state obligations, which can generate significant additional costs.

Bulgaria’s road toll system

Bulgaria has implemented a complex road toll system that varies depending on vehicle type, weight, and road category. These changes took effect from July 2022 and affect both freight and passenger vehicles.

Main toll road categories

1. Motorways – the highest toll per kilometer
2. National roads, category I – intermediate toll
3. National roads, category II – the lowest toll (new in the toll system)

Vignettes for passenger cars (up to 3.5 tons)

For passenger cars up to 3.5 tons, Bulgaria implemented a favorable measure: the electronic vignette fee was reduced by 10%. This is good news for Romanian tourists who frequently travel to Bulgaria.

Fees for commercial vehicles

Vehicles between 3.5 and 12 tons

For the current period (until 31.12.2024), fees vary by the vehicle’s ecological category:

Motorways: 6-9 stotinki per kilometer (1 lev = 100 stotinki)

National roads category I: 5-8 stotinki per kilometer

National roads category II: 2-3 stotinki per kilometer

Beginning of 1 January 2025, these tolls will be substantially increased:

• Motorways: 10-13 stotinki/km
• National roads category I: 6-9 stotinki/km
• National roads category II: 4-7 stotinki/km

Tolls for trucks and LCVs (over 12 tons)

Trucks and LCVs with 2 or 3 axles pay substantially higher tolls:

Current tolls (until 2024):

• Motorways: 16-20 stotinki/km
• National roads category I: 13-17 stotinki/km
• National roads category II: 9-11 stotinki/km

Increased tolls (from 2025):

• Motorways: 26-30 stotinki/km
• National roads category I: 22-25 stotinki/km
• National roads category II: 19-23 stotinki/km

Tolls for coaches

Coaches have a slightly more favorable regime than trucks:

For coaches 3.5-12 tons:

• Current: 1-5 stotinki/km
• From 2025: 2-8 stotinki/km

For coaches over 12 tons:

• Current: 2-6 stotinki/km
• From 2025: 3-9 stotinki/km

Recommendations for Romanian drivers

Trip planning

1. Inform yourself in advance about the tolls applicable to your vehicle
2. Purchase the necessary electronic vignette in time
3. Respect speed limits — fixed radars are active on most major roads
4. Keep payment receipts for all tolls paid

Official information resources

For up-to-date information on electronic vignettes and road tolls in Bulgaria, visit the official page: official Bulgarian toll site

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes the importance of properly informing Romanian drivers and respecting current legislation to avoid legal or financial problems later on.

Conclusion

Ignoring traffic fines received in Bulgaria is not a viable option, given that these fines will reach your Romanian address through the European information exchange system. Moreover, the additional costs from enforcement proceedings can significantly exceed the initial fine. Respecting speed limits and correctly paying road tolls remains the best strategy for a smooth trip in Bulgaria.