Tire Rules

From November 15 to March 1, motor vehicles in Bulgaria must by law be fitted with tyres suitable for winter conditions.

According to the law, approved by Parliament in 2016, cars must have tyres designed for winter conditions or that have a tread depth of no less than or equal to four millimetres, the Interior Ministry said.

Throughout November, the Interior Ministry is holding its traditional “Operation Winter” to check compliance with the law.

The ministry has issued advice for safe winter driving.

This includes replacing all fluids with winter fluids, with it being especially important to replace the coolant with antifreeze.

Motorists should check the technical serviceability of the brakes, signals and lights.

The ministry said that motorists should not drive if the heating system and windscreen washer are not working properly. Windscreen wiper blades should be replaced.

Motorists should keep their cars’ licence plates, windows and rear view mirrors clean.

Three- and four-wheel vehicles must carry a safety triangle; first aid kit; fire extinguisher and reflective vest. If necessary, update the contents of the first aid kit.

Drive carefully in reduced visibility, at dusk and when it is dark and do not dazzle oncoming traffic.

Other advice includes that at the beginning of winter, motorists should put a tow rope, snow chains and a spade in the boot of the car, and check the condition of the spare tyre.

The ministry said that in the past three winter seasons in Bulgaria – counting from November 15 to March 1- a total of 418 road users died and 5688 were injured in 4560 serious road accidents.

This included 130 road deaths in the 2019/20 season, 112 in 2020/21 and 176 in 2021/22, according to the ministry’s records.

@Kykers

It was 30 degrees in Plovdiv yesterday, yet, officially, we are just 3 weeks away from winter tyre season (November 15 - March 1). I doubt very much we will have snow by then, and probably not even much in the way of freezing temperatures.

In the days of real winters, the Bulgarians typically did full swaps on/off of their winter tyre sets (with separate rims). I did this a couple of times, but the winters have been quite mild. And changing the tyres is a bit of faff (especially if you change the tyres, rather than the rims/tyres)!

I've just (yesterday, by coincidence) put on my first full set of all-season tyres on my main car. I think it's the easy option, but we'll see how it goes.

All-seasons are expensive, compared to summers. And the wear is worse (as it is for winter tyres). But my mileage is pretty low, so I should be fine. I found a deal online and got them delivered to my apartment. Then I just drove them round to my local tyre shop and got them fitted (60 euros).

For the winter, winter tyres or all-season tyres are recommended. But the law doesn't require them. Summers are still legal provided they have good tread levels (4mm).

I'd say, overall, it depends where you live, and how much you drive. I would not want to drive over to Bansko for a spot of skiing on my summers, regardless of the law. :-)