How to Get a Category D1 Driving Licence in Bulgaria?

Bulgaria requires a psychological fitness certificate for D1, a stricter requirement than most amateur categories, reflecting the responsibility of carrying passengers. This piece covers what D1 authorizes, exact training hours, and how a recent EU directive affects validity periods.

What Category D1 covers

D1 authorizes motor vehicles designed and constructed to carry more than 8 but not more than 16 passengers, in addition to the driver.

Minimum age

You need to be 21 to hold a D1.

Eligibility requirements

• Usual residence established in the Republic of Bulgaria
• No other EU member state driving license already held
• A valid psychological fitness certificate

The psychological fitness certificate

One thing to flag. D1, alongside C, C1, D, T, taxi drivers, and anyone recovering their license after alcohol-related offenses or confiscation, must hold a psychological fitness certificate issued by DAI's (Automobile Inspection Directorate) psychology laboratory.

Documents you'll need

• Original and copy of your education diploma (basic, secondary, or higher)
• A copy of your identity card, existing driving license, and control coupon
• A reference from KAT (traffic police) confirming your current points balance
• Your psychological fitness certificate

Training requirements

If you already hold a D1E or DE, you only need practical training and the driving test, which must last at least 45 minutes. For candidates without an existing related category, a more comprehensive theory and practical program is available through your driving school.

The exam process

You'll need to pass both a theory exam and a practical driving test through IA "AA" (the executive road transport agency), covering safety awareness and control appropriate to carrying passengers.

Recent EU directive changes affecting validity

Under the new EU Driving License Directive, member states can now issue licenses valid for up to 15 years for AM, A1, A2, A, B, B1 and BE, and up to 5 years for C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 and D1E, the professional categories, including D1. Bulgaria expressed serious reservations during the directive's negotiation, particularly regarding a separate provision lowering the Category B age with accompanied driving, and a reporting mechanism was built in to assess the safety effects of these changes.

Current validity

D1, alongside C1, C, D, and CE, is currently valid for 5 years; A and B remain valid for 10 years as amateur categories.

What it costs

Driving school fees for D1 vary by provider; several schools offer installment payment plans, given the high cost of professional-category training compared with amateur licenses.

Points system

Bulgarian licenses carry a points allowance of generally 39 points, or 26 for new drivers, with violations deducting points and potentially leading to license suspension if the balance is exhausted.

Automatic transmission

As with other EU-aligned systems, testing on an automatic-transmission vehicle typically restricts the resulting license to automatic machines only.

Where D1 sits in Bulgaria's licensing system

Above D1, Bulgaria runs full Category D (buses and coaches carrying more than 16 passengers), generally requiring a minimum age around 21–24, depending on the prior category held, plus Category C experience where applicable, with 6 hours of theory and 16 hours of practical training for those transitioning from C.

Fines for driving with an expired license

Driving with an expired license is treated the same as driving without a valid license, resulting in a fine and confiscation of your documents.

The International Driving Permit

If you're planning to drive outside the EU, a paper translation of your Bulgarian license and an International Driving Permit are valid for one year and required in many non-EU destinations.

Tips that actually help

• Sort out your psychological fitness certificate early, since it's a mandatory prerequisite for D1.
• If you already hold a D1E or DE, ask your driving school whether you can skip straight to practical training and the test.
• Keep your KAT points reference up to date when applying, since it's a required standard document.
• Watch for further updates to validity periods as Bulgaria implements the new EU directive.

Where this fits going forward

D1 in Bulgaria offers a genuine route into passenger transport, with a notably thorough psychological fitness requirement reflecting the responsibility involved. If your plan includes professional driving down the line, take a look at the driver section, browse current vacancies, or see which employers are hiring drivers.EU, as well as our broader job guides, driving license in Bulgaria, and license eligibility pages provide a broader picture.

Declaration

This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Fees, training requirements, and administrative rules can change; validity periods described here follow the new EU Driving License Directive. Always confirm current requirements with the official Bulgarian sources, such as the State Agency for Road Safety Research (SARS), before making decisions. FastDriver.eu accepts no liability for decisions made based on this information.