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First Driving School for Foreigners in Bulgaria
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Category B
Services for students who want to get a driving license category B - a passenger car or a load vehicle with total mass up to 3500 kg
CASE 1: You are a beginner, without any driving experience.
Documents to register for the driving course:
The Bulgarian resident permit
A medical clearance stating your health for the purpose of the driving course. We need a print out copy. You keep the original in order to submit it in the traffic police office when you apply for the driving license. In case you don't know where to get it and your job insurance doesn't cover this service, we will guide you.
The course includes 38 classes: 4 mandatory in-person. The sessions will be only on Saturdays from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m., and the rest via an online platform. It takes at least 4 Saturdays to cover the material.
The school provides its own materials in English. A book in English for foreigners is lacking. That's why we made our own very useful presentations and videos on all the topics.
Once you cover the theoretical part and prepare for the exam, the school office books the exam for you. The government fee for the theory exam is clarified in the FAQs session. You pay it once you get the voucher for the exam from the school office. In case you fail the exam, you pay the same fee to retake it.
The driving classes are 31. You could drive for a maximum of two driving classes per day. You start driving after you pass the theoretical exam. We are going to take under consideration your availability in order to make the schedule for the driving classes.
The driving exam government fee is clarified in the FAQs session. You pay it on the day of the exam.
In case you fail the driving exam, by law, it is mandatory to get 4 additional driving classes. You must pay for each class, and to pay the exam fee again, before you retake the exam.
There are a maximum of 4 attempts on the driving exam. In case you fail the driving exam for the fourth time, you have to start the driving course from the very beginning. We haven't had such a case yet but it is good to know.
By law the shortest time for a driving course is a month and a half.
When the moment to apply for the driving license in the traffic police office comes, you have to submit:
A proof of education, issued by the Ministry of education in Bulgaria.
You have to recognize your education for Bulgaria. By law, it is enough to prove that you have completed at least 8th grade (if this is done before the 26th of September, 2017) or at least 10th grade (if it is completed after the 26th of September, 2017). You can use the high school diploma or the university degree. The recognition process takes time- up to two months. The driving school office will assist you to manage this.
The government fee to recognize the high school certificate is 25 Euro. The education recognition procedure of university degrees is for free. But you will still have expenses to translate and notarize the diplomas before you submit them for recognition. This procedure must go parallel with the driving course. The school office will assist you through the whole process.
The Bulgarian resident permit
The First Aid certificate.
You have to pass a one day course for giving pre-medical help in case of road accidents, provided by the Red Cross center in Sofia. The driving school office will assist you to sign in. This course costs 96 Euro.
A medical check which proves your health as a driver of a vehicle category B.
You can use the same medical check up which you provided to register for the driving course. It is for 6 months valid. In case it is expired, you have to get a new one.
The fee for the driving license in the traffic police office is 25 Euro.
Important: you apply for the driving license in the traffic police office only in person. In the application form there you can put the data of a person who you authorize to collect the license for you (in case you have to leave Bulgaria). There is no need to have the power of attorney.
Possible discounts:
We included the possible discounts in the FAQs session.
CASE 2: You are an experienced driver, a holder of a driving license, issued by a non EU country, which has expired for Bulgaria!
In that case you don't have to pass any theoretical or driving classes. It is your obligation to pass the theoretical and driving exams. Your case is under article 162 of the Bulgarian traffic law.
The driving school will provide the materials to self study and the links to the sites where you do tests and where you can see the whole massive of questions and videos.
Documents to be registered in the driving school:
A print out copy of the Bulgarian resident permit
A print out copy of the current driving license
A print out copy of the translation of the current driving license in Bulgarian. The translation must be notarized.
A medical check for the purpose of the driving course.
Fees:
We included the possible fees in the FAQs session.
Our experience shows that you will need 3 or 4 driving classes (unless you prefer more). The purpose is to be explained the driving exam requirements, to see the details of the exam routes and get used with the car.
The driving exam fee was included in the FAQs session.
Documents to submit in the traffic police office: same like the ones numbered in the first case.
CASE 3: Refreshing driving classes
You already have a driving license but you need to refresh and improve your driving skills and to get used with traffic in Sofia. The duration of one driving class is 60 minutes.
It is mandatory to have your current driving license when you come to drive with the driving instructor!
The driving school office guides you through all the steps and assists all the time.
We teach you how to THINK AND DRIVE! You can rely on our loyalty and professionalism!
Thank you for choosing the First Driving School for Foreigners!
The driving school works with
Trusted translation agency.
Trusted doctors for the medical clearance.
Trusted car dealer.
Trusted car insurance brokers.
Trusted car services.
Trusted assistants for the Traffic police office.
Trusted lawyers for the Migration office.
Trusted teachers teaching Bulgarian to foreigners.
We guides you through all the steps and assists all the time
You can rely on our loyalty and professionalism!
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that you want to make the best choice — let us help with these FAQs!
General Topics
How can I contact the First Driving School for Foreigners?
You can contact the school via Viber, WhatsApp, or Telegram at +359 87 867 3390.
Is a Bulgarian residence permit required to register for the driving course?
Yes, you must have a Bulgarian residence permit to register, regardless of your nationality.
When can I receive my Bulgarian driving license?
The license is issued only after you have at least 6 months of residence in Bulgaria from the date of your first permit.
What is the structure of the theoretical course part?
It includes 38 classes: 4 mandatory in-person Saturday sessions (9 a.m.–1 p.m.) and the rest via an online platform.
How long is the theoretical part valid before it expires?
Theory classes expire 6 months after completion. You must pass your theory exam within this period.
How many driving classes are required for a beginner?
Beginners must complete 31 practical driving classes, each lasting 50 minutes.
How many attempts am I allowed for the exams?
You have a maximum of 4 attempts for the theory exam and 4 attempts for the driving exam.
What educational documents are needed for a driving license?
You must submit proof of education for:
- minimum (8th grade) if you have completed it before the 26th of September, 2017.
- minimum 10th grade if you have completed it after the 26th of September, 2017.
-Or you can use a school diploma, a bachelor's degree, or a Master's degree.
Please, get in touch with us so we can carefully assess your case.
How long does the education recognition process take?
It takes 3 weeks for certificates lower than university level and at least 2 months for university degrees.
Does the school provide automatic transmission cars?
Yes, the school offers both manual and automatic transmission cars.
Can I authorize someone else to collect my license?
Yes, you can authorize a person in the application form to collect it without a power of attorney.
Are there additional costs for document preparation not included in the school fees?
Yes, you are responsible for expenses related to the translation and notarization of your diplomas and licenses.
Are taxes included in the listed payment prices?
Yes, all payments made by cash, bank, or card in the office include VAT.
Are there costs for university recognition if I have a degree?
The recognition procedure is free for university degrees, but you must still pay for translation and notarization of the diplomas.
Costs
How much does the theoretical training cost?
The total cost is 360 Euro: 300 Euro paid to the school and 60 Euro for the online platform subscription.
What is the cost of the practical driving part for beginners?
One class costs 35 Euro, totaling 1050 Euro for 31 classes. This can be paid in two installments.
What are the fees for experienced drivers with non-EU licenses?
Registration is 340 Euro, platform access is 60 Euro, theory exam is 80 Euro, two driving classes by 40 euro each, and the driving exam is 100 Euro.
What is the cost for refreshing driving classes?
Refreshing classes cost 40 Euro for 60 minutes, or 350 Euro for a package of 10 classes.
How much does it cost to re-register if my theory classes expire after 6 months?
Re-registration costs 160 Euro: 100 Euro for the new registration and 60 Euro for online platform access.
What are the mandatory costs if I fail the driving exam?
You must pay for 4 additional driving classes (35 Euro each) and the exam fee again before retaking it.
Is there an extra fee for a priority or express driving course?
Yes, priority scheduling to meet a specific deadline costs an additional 200 Euro.
What is the fee for being assisted by a Bulgarian person at the traffic police office?
In-person assistance at the traffic police office costs 30 Euro.
What does it cost for the school to collect and send my license via courier?
This service costs 30 Euro, though you are also responsible for the shipment tax.
What are the retake fees for experienced drivers who fail an exam?
Experienced drivers must pay the same original fee to retake an exam: 80 Euro for theory and 100 Euro for the driving exam.
What is the financial consequence of failing the driving exam four times?
You are required to repeat all 31 driving classes and pay the full cost for them again.
Discounts
Is there a package discount for university students?
Yes, students pay 1400 Euro total, covering theory, driving classes, and all exam fees regardless of attempts.
Is there a discount for couples or for paying the full course fee at once?
Both couples and students who pay in one go receive a total rate of 1400 Euro, covering all classes and exam fees.
Other Services
Does the driving school assist with the online submition of documents for education recognition?
Yes, this service costs 20 euro.
Government Fees
Are the additional costs for documments preparation not included in the school fee?
There are fees for:
- The translation and notarization of Education documents and the driving licenses from the non-EU countries.
- The medical clearance.
- The First Aid Course.
- The tax for the education recognition.
- The tax for the driving license issue.
What is the government fee for the beginner theory exam?
The government fee for the theory exam is 60 Euro each time you take it.
What is the cost and duration of the mandatory First Aid course?
The course costs 96 Euro and lasts two days (12 hours) in person at the Red Cross center.
What is the government fee for the beginner driving exam?
The government fee for the driving exam is 60 Euro per attempt.
What are the traffic police fees for issuing the license?
It costs 18 Euro for standard service (one month) or 25 Euro for express service (one week).
What is the government fee for recognizing education certificates up to 12th grade?
The government fee for recognizing certificates or high school diplomas is 25 Euro.
How much does the required medical check cost?
A medical check for a category B vehicle license costs 30 Euro.
Will I have to pay for a second medical check?
If your course takes longer than 6 months, your medical clearance expires and you must pay 30 Euro for a new one.
How can qualified medical professionals reduce their course costs?
Doctors or 6th-year medical students do not need to take or pay the 96 Euro fee for the Red Cross First Aid course.
087 867 3390
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