Bulgaria Theory Test B cheat sheet

Warning signs are triangular with a red border and white ground; they announce a hazard ahead and do not themselves impose a speed limit.

Prohibitory signs are circular with a red border; a red circle containing only a number sets a maximum permitted speed from the point of the sign onward.

Mandatory signs are circular with a blue ground and white symbol; they order a direction or behaviour, such as turning right or keeping right of an obstacle.

Priority signs: the yellow diamond gives priority at the next junction only; the inverted red-bordered triangle obliges the driver to give way.

A sign showing a red arrow pointing upward with a black arrow crossing it means priority over oncoming traffic; the reversed version means give way to oncoming traffic.

Continuous white centre line: crossing is prohibited; a broken line may be crossed when overtaking or turning is safe and permitted.

A solid white line along the kerb edge marks a stopping prohibition zone; a yellow zigzag marks a bus stop area where parking and stopping are forbidden.

Pedestrian crossing markings (white stripes, 'zebra') give pedestrians absolute priority once they have stepped onto the crossing.

At an unmarked junction of equal roads, the vehicle approaching from the right has the right of way; this rule applies unless signs or signals say otherwise.

When road signs change the priority, the sign prevails over the general right-hand rule; a give-way sign means the driver must yield to all traffic on the priority road.

A driver turning left must give way to oncoming vehicles going straight or turning right, and must also yield to pedestrians crossing the road being entered.

A driver turning right must give way to pedestrians and cyclists already on the road being entered.

Overtaking is prohibited at pedestrian crossings, at level crossings, and where the centre line is continuous; it must be abandoned if a hazard develops.

Safe following distance in dry conditions is at least the distance travelled in two seconds; in rain, at night or with poor visibility this doubles.

A vehicle may not stop or park within 5 metres of a pedestrian crossing, at a junction or within 10 metres of it, or where it blocks a driveway or tram rails.

Motorways are closed to pedestrians, cyclists, mopeds, agricultural vehicles and vehicles incapable of the minimum permitted speed.

A flashing yellow signal at a junction means proceed with caution, applying the normal right-of-way rules; it does not grant priority.

Steady red means stop before the stop line; a red plus a yellow arrow means prepare to go but do not proceed until green appears.

A green light does not grant an absolute right of way: the driver must still yield to vehicles or pedestrians already lawfully in the junction.

A green arrow permits movement only in the direction of the arrow, provided that movement does not obstruct other traffic.

A traffic controller's signals override fixed lights and signs; the arm raised vertically means stop for all directions.

A whistle blast accompanying the controller's arm signal reinforces the order and must be obeyed immediately.

At a level crossing, flashing red lights and a sounding bell mean absolute stop; the barrier may be bypassed only after it is fully raised and the lights stop.

Lane-control signals above the carriageway: a red cross marks a closed lane, a green arrow marks a lane open to traffic.

Minimum tyre tread depth for passenger cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the whole circumference.

Tyre pressure is checked cold; under-inflation raises fuel consumption, increases wear and lengthens braking distance.

Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time and is typically replaced every two years; a spongy pedal signals air or moisture in the system.

Seat belts are mandatory for the driver and all passengers; children under 12 years or shorter than 150 cm require an appropriate child restraint.

A first-aid kit, warning triangle, fire extinguisher and reflective vest are mandatory equipment in Bulgarian-registered vehicles.

A vehicle must pass the periodic technical inspection (GTI) at an authorised station; the certificate is presented at roadside checks.

Headlights must be switched on in conditions of reduced visibility and outside built-up areas at night; dipped beams avoid dazzling oncoming drivers.

Winter tyres with at least 4 mm tread are required when driving on snow or ice; the obligation applies to all wheels.

Perception-reaction time for an alert driver is about 1 second; total stopping distance equals reaction distance plus braking distance.

Braking distance grows with the square of speed: doubling speed from 50 to 100 km/h roughly quadruples the distance needed to stop.

Fatigue degrades attention before the driver notices it; a break of at least 15 minutes every two hours of driving is the standard countermeasure.

A blood alcohol concentration of 0.5 g/L or more is an offence; for novice drivers and professional drivers the limit is zero.

In fog, use dipped beams or fog lamps, never main beams, which reflect off the droplets and reduce visibility.

Aquaplaning occurs when water lifts the tyres off the road; the response is to ease off the accelerator and avoid sudden braking or steering.

Blind spots must be checked by a shoulder glance before changing lanes; mirrors alone do not cover the area beside the rear quarter.

Approaching a pedestrian crossing, scan both kerbs and reduce speed so as to be able to stop if a pedestrian steps out.

Drivers must carry a valid driving licence, vehicle registration certificate, compulsory third-party liability insurance policy and technical inspection certificate.

The compulsory civil liability insurance (GO) covers damage caused to third parties; it does not cover damage to the insured vehicle itself.

Driving without compulsory insurance is an offence and results in a fine plus removal of the registration plates.

Penalty points accumulate on the licence; reaching the statutory maximum results in suspension and re-examination.

Refusing a roadside breath or drug test is treated as an offence with consequences comparable to driving while intoxicated.

The vehicle registration certificate records the owner, the technical data and the permitted categories of use.

A power of attorney or a written authorisation is required when a person other than the registered owner drives the vehicle abroad in some circumstances.

Traffic fines may be paid at a reduced rate within a short statutory period; after that period the full amount is due.

The emergency number in Bulgaria and across the EU is 112; report location, number of casualties and the nature of the injuries.

Scene safety first: switch off the engine, apply the handbrake, place the warning triangle at least 50 metres behind the vehicle on a road, and switch on hazard lights.

Check responsiveness and breathing; if the casualty is not breathing normally, start chest compressions at 100-120 per minute, 5-6 cm deep, in the centre of the chest.

The compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR is 30:2; if untrained or unwilling, perform compression-only CPR.

Severe bleeding is controlled by direct pressure with a clean dressing; a tourniquet is a last resort for limb bleeding that cannot be stopped.

Do not remove a motorcycle helmet unless the airway is obstructed; suspect spinal injury and keep the head aligned.

For burns, cool with running water for at least 10-20 minutes and never apply ointments or pop blisters.

Place an unconscious but breathing casualty in the recovery position and monitor breathing until help arrives.

Smooth acceleration and early gear changes at around 2000-2500 rpm for petrol engines reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Engine idling wastes fuel and adds pollutants; switch off the engine during stops longer than about 30-60 seconds.

Correct tyre pressure and removal of roof racks and unnecessary loads cut aerodynamic drag and fuel use.

Anticipatory driving, releasing the accelerator early before a red light, uses engine braking and cuts brake wear and fuel consumption.

Air conditioning can raise fuel consumption noticeably; use ventilation at low speed and air conditioning only when needed.

Catalytic converters reduce harmful exhaust gases only when hot; short cold-start journeys produce disproportionate emissions.

Electric and hybrid vehicles use regenerative braking to recover energy; smooth driving maximises the recovered energy.

Noise pollution is reduced by avoiding unnecessary horn use, especially in built-up areas and near hospitals at night.