Autonomous vehicles law and regulation in Bulgaria

No, the amended Bulgarian Road Traffic Act 1999 (“Road Traffic Act”) prohibits any kind of technical testing of motor vehicles and motorcycles on public roads in Bulgaria. Hence, the missing definition for AV’s under Bulgarian law, testing them on public roads is not permitted yet.

No. AVs are not regulated under Bulgarian law yet. The Road Traffic Act requires road vehicles to be driven by a driver (natural person), to be technically correct and registered in the appropriate order for use on public roads. As a result, consumers currently are not permitted to use AVs on public roads in Bulgaria.

As noted, Bulgarian law is silent on this.

Under the Road Traffic Act it is usually the driver, although the owner of the vehicle can sometimes be held liable for damages caused by it.  The amended Bulgarian Insurance Code 2016 (“Insurance Code”) provides for compulsory third party liability-of-motorists insurance that can cover the liability of the owner, the user and the holder of the motor vehicle, as well as of any person who drives or uses the motor vehicle on valid legal grounds.

No. The rules under the Insurance Code governing compulsory third party liability-of-motorists insurance would apply to AVs unless specific legislation is adopted indicating otherwise.

Yes. Under the amended Bulgarian Consumer Protection Act 2005, the manufacturer of a product, its representatives and in certain cases the seller, bear liability to ensure the safety and compliance of the product.  In addition, the commercial warranty binds the person who has issued it under these terms.