Okay, so, I needed to get myself a Bulgarian driver’s license. I heard it was not that hard, so I decided to give it a try. First off, I did some digging around to figure out what I needed.
Gathering What’s Needed
It turns out, you gotta have a few things in order. I made a list to keep track:
- Residency Permit: You need to prove you’re living in Bulgaria.
- Medical Check-up: Had to get a doctor to say I’m fit to drive.
- Application Form: There’s a form you gotta fill out.
- Photos: Needed some passport-style photos.
- Old License: If you have one from another country, you gotta show that too.
- Fee: Of course, there’s a fee to pay.
Starting the Process
With all my documents ready, I went to the local traffic police office. I found out you can submit your application there. I filled out the form, handed over my photos, and showed them my residency permit. They checked everything, and it seemed good to go.

Medical Check and Other Stuff
I got my medical check-up done at a clinic nearby. The doctor did some basic tests and signed off on a form saying I’m all good to drive. I took that form back to the traffic police. Oh, and I paid the license fee at a bank and got a receipt as proof. This receipt is important, don’t lose it!
Waiting and Getting the License
After submitting everything, there was a bit of a waiting period. They said it usually takes a few weeks. While waiting, I read up on Bulgarian driving rules to be prepared. After about five days, I got a call saying my license was ready. I went back to the office, showed my ID, and finally got my Bulgarian driver’s license! It was a bit of a process, but totally doable if you have all your paperwork in order.
Now I can drive around Bulgaria legally. And it’s a good thing to know that this license also lets you get an international driving permit, which is valid for a year. Pretty handy if you plan to travel and drive in other countries too!