Road signs in Bulgaria

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Bilingual road sign near Dragoman (border Bulgaria/Serbia)

Road signs in the Republic of Bulgaria were introduced by the Road Traffic Act and are regulated by:

  • Regulations for the implementation of the Road Traffic Act, adopted by a Decree of the Council of Ministers;[1][2]
  • Ordinance No. 18 of July 23, 2001 on road signaling with traffic signs, issued by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works.[3]

Both normative documents are harmonized with the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals (1968), which was ratified by Bulgaria on December 28, 1978 (This Convention was not published in the State Gazette).[4] Bulgaria made two declarations upon signature, one reservation upon ratification and one declaration upon ratification. One reservation made upon ratification is regarding transliteration into Latin characters solely to indicate the terminal points of international routes passing through Bulgaria and places of interest to international tourism. This is due to the fact that the Cyrillic script is used in the writing system of the Bulgarian language, the official language of Bulgaria.

Road signs in Bulgaria use the SNV typeface, which is also used in neighboring countries in the Balkans such as Romania, Serbia and North Macedonia. Inscriptions on road signs are usually written in both Bulgarian and English (Cyrillic and Latin scripts respectively), including settlement names.

Today there are some differences between the two documents regarding road signs. The latest changes in Ordinance No. 18 were promulgated in the State Gazette No. 13, dated February 14, 2020. These changes are not reflected in the Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Act.

Warning signs

  • A1 Right curve
    A1
    Right curve
  • A2 Left curve
    A2
    Left curve
  • A3 Double curve, first at right
    A3
    Double curve, first at right
  • A4 Double curve, first at left
    A4
    Double curve, first at left
  • A5 Steep downhill
    A5
    Steep downhill
  • A6 Steep uphill
    A6
    Steep uphill
  • A7 Road narrows — two-sided
    A7
    Road narrows — two-sided
  • A8 Road narrows - on the right
    A8
    Road narrows - on the right
  • A9 Road narrows - on the left
    A9
    Road narrows - on the left
  • A10 Opening bridge
    A10
    Opening bridge
  • A11 Unprotected quayside or riverbank
    A11
    Unprotected quayside or riverbank
  • A12 Uneven road
    A12
    Uneven road
  • A13 Speed bump
    A13
    Speed bump
  • A14 Dangerous roadside
    A14
    Dangerous roadside
  • A15 Slippery road
    A15
    Slippery road
  • A16 Loose chippings
    A16
    Loose chippings
  • A17 Falling rocks
    A17
    Falling rocks
  • A18 Pedestrian crossing
    A18
    Pedestrian crossing
  • A19 Children area
    A19
    Children area
  • A20 Cyclists
    A20
    Cyclists
  • A21 Domesticated animals
    A21
    Domesticated animals
  • A22 Wild animals
    A22
    Wild animals
  • A23 Roadworks
    A23
    Roadworks
  • A24 Traffic light
    A24
    Traffic light
  • A25 Crossroads without priority (give way to the vehicles coming from the right)
    A25
    Crossroads without priority (give way to the vehicles coming from the right)
  • A26 Intersection with a secondary road
    A26
    Intersection with a secondary road
  • A27 Secondary road junction on the right
    A27
    Secondary road junction on the right
  • A28 Secondary road junction on the left
    A28
    Secondary road junction on the left
  • A29 Roundabout ahead
    A29
    Roundabout ahead
  • A30 Two - way traffic
    A30
    Two - way traffic
  • A31 Trams
    A31
    Trams
  • A32 Level crossing with barriers ahead
    A32
    Level crossing with barriers ahead
  • A33 Level crossing without barriers ahead
    A33
    Level crossing without barriers ahead
  • A36 Low-flying aircraft
    A36
    Low-flying aircraft
  • A37 Crosswinds
    A37
    Crosswinds
  • A38 Tunnel
    A38
    Tunnel
  • A39 Other hazards
    A39
    Other hazards
  • A40 Accident-prone road area
    A40
    Accident-prone road area
  • A41 Traffic jam
    A41
    Traffic jam
  • A41 Fog
    A41
    Fog
  • A43 A traffic accident has occurred
    A43
    A traffic accident has occurred

Priority signs

  • B1 Give way
    B1
    Give way
  • B2 Stop
  • B3 Priority road
  • B4 End of priority road
    B4
    End of priority road
  • B5 Give way to vehicles coming from the opposite direction
    B5
    Give way to vehicles coming from the opposite direction
  • B6 Priority over vehicles in opposite direction
    B6
    Priority over vehicles in opposite direction

Prohibitory signs

  • V1 No entry
    V1
    No entry
  • V2 Road closed to all traffic
    V2
    Road closed to all traffic
  • V3 No motor vehicles
    V3
    No motor vehicles
  • V4 No trucks/heavy goods vehicles
    V4
    No trucks/heavy goods vehicles
  • V5 No trucks/heavy goods vehicles pulling trailers
    V5
    No trucks/heavy goods vehicles pulling trailers
  • V6 No trailers
    V6
    No trailers
  • V7 No tractors
    V7
    No tractors
  • V8 No motorcycles
    V8
    No motorcycles
  • V9 No bicycles
    V9
    No bicycles
  • V10 No horse-drawn vehicles
    V10
    No horse-drawn vehicles
  • V11 No handcarts
    V11
    No handcarts
  • V12 No pedestrians
    V12
    No pedestrians
  • V13 No vehicles carrying dangerous goods
    V13
    No vehicles carrying dangerous goods
  • V14 No trucks and motorbikes
    V14
    No trucks and motorbikes
  • V15 Width limit (2.5 metres)
    V15
    Width limit (2.5 metres)
  • V16 Height limit (3.5 metres)
    V16
    Height limit (3.5 metres)
  • V17 Length limit (12 metres)
    V17
    Length limit (12 metres)
  • V18 Weight limit (9.5 tonnes)
    V18
    Weight limit (9.5 tonnes)
  • V19 Weight limit per axle
    V19
    Weight limit per axle
  • V20 No traffic allowed without indicated minimum distance between vehicles
    V20
    No traffic allowed without indicated minimum distance between vehicles
  • V21 No right turn
    V21
    No right turn
  • V22 No left turn
    V22
    No left turn
  • V23 No U-turn
    V23
    No U-turn
  • V24 No overtaking
    V24
    No overtaking
  • V25 No overtaking by trucks/heavy goods vehicles
    V25
    No overtaking by trucks/heavy goods vehicles
  • V26 Speed limit (50 km/h)
    V26
    Speed limit (50 km/h)
  • V26 Speed limit (60 km/h)
    V26
    Speed limit (60 km/h)
  • V26 Speed limit (80 km/h)
    V26
    Speed limit (80 km/h)
  • V27 Do not block
    V27
    Do not block
  • V28 No parking
    V28
    No parking
  • V29 Stop for customs
    V29
    Stop for customs
  • V30 No sound signals
    V30
    No sound signals
  • V31 End of no overtaking zone
    V31
    End of no overtaking zone
  • V32 End of no overtaking by trucks/heavy goods vehicles zone
    V32
    End of no overtaking by trucks/heavy goods vehicles zone
  • V33 End of speed limit (50 km/h)
    V33
    End of speed limit (50 km/h)
  • V34 End of all restrictions
    V34
    End of all restrictions

Mandatory signs

  • Г1 Keep straight
    Г1
    Keep straight
  • Г2 Turn right ahead
    Г2
    Turn right ahead
  • Г3 Turn left ahead
    Г3
    Turn left ahead
  • Г4 Turn right or go straight ahead
    Г4
    Turn right or go straight ahead
  • Г5 Turn left or go straight ahead
    Г5
    Turn left or go straight ahead
  • Г6 Turn left or right ahead
    Г6
    Turn left or right ahead
  • Г7 Turn right before the sign
    Г7
    Turn right before the sign
  • Г8 Turn left before the sign
    Г8
    Turn left before the sign
  • Г9 Keep right
    Г9
    Keep right
  • Г10 Keep left
    Г10
    Keep left
  • Г11 Keep left or right
    Г11
    Keep left or right
  • Г12 Roundabout
    Г12
    Roundabout
  • Г13 Exclusive bus or trolleybus lane
    Г13
    Exclusive bus or trolleybus lane
  • Г14 Bicycle lane
    Г14
    Bicycle lane
  • Г15 Pedestrian lane
    Г15
    Pedestrian lane
  • Г16 Segregated pedestrian and bicycle path
    Г16
    Segregated pedestrian and bicycle path
  • Г17 Minimum speed limit (30 km/h)
    Г17
    Minimum speed limit (30 km/h)
  • Г17 Minimum speed limit (50 km/h)
    Г17
    Minimum speed limit (50 km/h)
  • Г18 End of minimum speed limit (30 km/h)
    Г18
    End of minimum speed limit (30 km/h)
  • Г18 End of minimum speed limit (50 km/h)
    Г18
    End of minimum speed limit (50 km/h)
  • Г19 Snow chains compulsory
    Г19
    Snow chains compulsory
  • Г20 Vehicles carrying hazardous goods should turn left
    Г20
    Vehicles carrying hazardous goods should turn left

Special regulations signs

  • D1 Number of lanes and traffic directions
    D1
    Number of lanes and traffic directions
  • D2 Additional road lane for slow-moving road vehicles
    D2
    Additional road lane for slow-moving road vehicles
  • D2 Additional road lane for slow-moving road vehicles
    D2
    Additional road lane for slow-moving road vehicles
  • D2 Additional road lane for slow-moving road vehicles
    D2
    Additional road lane for slow-moving road vehicles
  • D3 Pre-compilation indicator
    D3
    Pre-compilation indicator
  • D4 One-way traffic
    D4
    One-way traffic
  • D5 Motorway
    D5
    Motorway
  • D6 End of motorway
    D6
    End of motorway
  • D7 Limited-access highway (option 1)
    D7
    Limited-access highway (option 1)
  • D7 Limited-access highway (option 2)
    D7
    Limited-access highway (option 2)
  • D8 End of limited-access highway (option 1)
    D8
    End of limited-access highway (option 1)
  • D8 End of limited-access highway (option 2)
    D8
    End of limited-access highway (option 2)
  • D9 Entrance to tunnel (option 1)
    D9
    Entrance to tunnel (option 1)
  • D9 Entrance to tunnel (option 2)
    D9
    Entrance to tunnel (option 2)
  • D10 End of tunnel (option 1)
    D10
    End of tunnel (option 1)
  • D10 End of tunnel (option 2)
    D10
    End of tunnel (option 2)
  • D11 Entrance to built-up area
    D11
    Entrance to built-up area
  • D12 End of built-up area
    D12
    End of built-up area
  • D13 No parking zone
    D13
    No parking zone
  • D14 End of no parking zone
    D14
    End of no parking zone
  • D15 Entrance to residential area zone
    D15
    Entrance to residential area zone
  • D16 End of residential area zone
    D16
    End of residential area zone
  • D17 Pedestrian zone
    D17
    Pedestrian zone
  • D18 Hospital
    D18
    Hospital
  • D19 Parking
    D19
    Parking
  • D20 Paid parking
    D20
    Paid parking
  • D21 Disabled people parking
    D21
    Disabled people parking
  • D22 Bus stop
    D22
    Bus stop
  • D23 Trolleybus stop
    D23
    Trolleybus stop
  • D24 Tram stop
    D24
    Tram stop
  • D25 Vignette road
    D25
    Vignette road
  • D25 Vignette and toll road
    D25
    Vignette and toll road
  • D25 Toll road
    D25
    Toll road

Indication signs

  • Е1 Medical center
    Е1
    Medical center
  • Е2 A hospital with an emergency department
    Е2
    A hospital with an emergency department
  • Е3 Police
    Е3
    Police
  • Е4 Telephone
    Е4
    Telephone
  • Е7.1 Gas station
    Е7.1
    Gas station
  • Е7.2 Gas station
    Е7.2
    Gas station
  • Е7.3 Gas station that also offers unleaded gasoline
    Е7.3
    Gas station that also offers unleaded gasoline
  • Е19 Toilet
    Е19
    Toilet
  • Е20 Taxi stand
    Е20
    Taxi stand
  • Е21 Pedestrian onderpass
    Е21
    Pedestrian onderpass
  • Е22 National speed limits (used at border crossings with other countries)
    Е22
    National speed limits (used at border crossings with other countries)
  • Е24 Control with automated technical means or systems
    Е24
    Control with automated technical means or systems
  • Е25 Charging station for electric vehicles
    Е25
    Charging station for electric vehicles

Information signs

  • Z1 Preliminary route guide sign
    Z1
    Preliminary route guide sign
  • Z2 Route guide sign with destinations used on highways
    Z2
    Route guide sign with destinations used on highways
  • Z2 Route guide sign with destinations used on roads
    Z2
    Route guide sign with destinations used on roads
  • Z2 Route guide sign with destinations used inside cities
    Z2
    Route guide sign with destinations used inside cities
  • Z9 U-turn permitted
    Z9
    U-turn permitted
  • Z10 Destinations sign with distances used on highways
    Z10
    Destinations sign with distances used on highways
  • Z10 Destinations sign with distances used on roads
    Z10
    Destinations sign with distances used on roads
  • Z12 Entry to no through road
    Z12
    Entry to no through road
  • Z13 Dead end
  • Z18 Emergency escape lane for runaway vehicles
    Z18
    Emergency escape lane for runaway vehicles
  • Z19 50 km/h advisory speed
    Z19
    50 km/h advisory speed
  • Z20/Z21 Highway route number sign
    Z20/Z21
    Highway route number sign

Additional plates

  • Т1 Above sign effective in 1300 metres
    Т1
    Above sign effective in 1300 metres
  • Т2 Sign area effective
    Т2
    Sign area effective
  • Т3 Plate indicating beginning of stopping or parking prohibition
    Т3
    Plate indicating beginning of stopping or parking prohibition
  • Т8 Stop ahead in 50 metres (placed below the give way sign to warn of a stop sign ahead)
    Т8
    Stop ahead in 50 metres (placed below the give way sign to warn of a stop sign ahead)
  • Т13 Diagram of priority road direction
    Т13
    Diagram of priority road direction
  • T14.2 Road conditions (rainfall)
    T14.2
    Road conditions (rainfall)
  • T15 Working days
    T15
    Working days
  • T16 Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
    T16
    Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
  • T17 Text plate
    T17
    Text plate
  • T18.1 Plate indicating that unattended vehicle will be towed-away at the expense of the vehicle owner
    T18.1
    Plate indicating that unattended vehicle will be towed-away at the expense of the vehicle owner
  • T18.2 Placement of restrictive measures
    T18.2
    Placement of restrictive measures

References

  1. ^ "Правилник за прилагане на Закона за движението по пътищата (на сайта на МВР)" (PDF).
  2. ^ Правилник за прилагане на закона за движението по пътищата. Effective from June 1, 1996. Last amended and add. DV. no. 13 of February 17, 2015, lex.bg
  3. ^ "Наредба №18 от 23.07.2001 г. за сигнализация на пътищата с пътни знаци (на сайта на МРРБ)" (PDF).
  4. ^ "United Nations Treaty Collection". treaties.un.org. Retrieved 2023-11-28.

External links