Electric scooter technical inspection in Bulgaria 2025
From January 1, 2023, all electric scooters in Bulgaria are subject to a mandatory technical inspection, in accordance with Art. 147, para. 3, item 5a of the Road Traffic Act (RTA). This measure was introduced with the aim of improving road safety by reducing the number of accidents related to faulty or improperly used electric scooters. In addition, it contributes to market regulation by ensuring that all registered vehicles meet the required standards.Who does the new requirement apply to?
The mandatory technical inspection applies to already registered electric scooters and does not apply to factory-new electric vehicles that are about to be registered for the first time. This means that all owners of electric scooters that fall within the scope of the law must undergo a technical inspection once every two years. The main purpose of this inspection is to ensure that the scooters are in good technical condition and do not pose a danger to other road users.
What does the technical inspection of an electric scooter include?
Similar to vehicle inspections, electric scooters will be inspected at authorized inspection stations. The main aspects that will be inspected include:- Fixed headlights (front and rear);
- Brake system and its efficiency;
- Chassis and tire condition;
- Availability of relevant safety certificates;
- Maximum permissible power and speed.
It is important to note that not every inspection station will have a license to inspect electric vehicles. Scooter owners should check in advance which stations in their city offer this service to avoid unnecessary travel. You can see a full list of stations HERE!
Registration of electric scooters and additional requirements
According to the Road Traffic Act, only motor vehicles and trailers that are registered and have license plates placed in the designated places are allowed on roads open to public use. This also applies to all electric vehicles whose electric motors have a power of over 1000 W and a maximum design speed of over 25 km/h. This requirement was introduced in order to better control these vehicles, which are becoming increasingly popular among city dwellers.In order to pass the mandatory registration, and then a technical inspection, electric scooters must have the necessary certificates of conformity. This process aims to prevent the use of low-quality and dangerous vehicles. As a result, a large part of the scooters that are imported and distributed without the necessary documentation will not be able to pass the new requirements and therefore will not be able to be legally used on public roads.
You can read more about the registration of electric scooters in our blog article HERE.
Penalties for the absence of a technical inspection or registration
According to Bulgarian legislation, a penalty of 50 to 500 leva is provided for a driver who drives a technically defective vehicle. It can be considered that since the car does not have a valid annual technical inspection (ATI), therefore it is defective. The fine of 50 leva is for minor defects, and 500 – for dangerous defects.An unregistered motor vehicle requiring registration is also sanctioned. The driver is criminally liable under Art. 345, para. 2 of the Criminal Code and is subject to imprisonment for up to one year or a fine of 500 to 1000 leva. In addition, the unregistered vehicle may be seized by the traffic police for examination.
How to protect yourself from problems when buying an electric scooter?
If you are about to buy an electric scooter, it is important to check whether your dealer can provide you with the necessary technical documentation. This includes certificates of conformity, which are necessary for registration and passing a technical inspection. If the dealer cannot provide you with such documents, it is likely that the seller is dishonest and is offering an uncertified and potentially dangerous product.Before purchasing, check the following:
- Does the scooter meet the legal requirements for power and speed;
- Whether it has valid technical documentation;
- Whether the dealer provides a warranty and service support;
- Whether the scooter can be registered in Bulgaria.
Conclusion
The introduction of mandatory technical inspections for electric scooters is an important step towards improving road safety and regulating this rapidly developing sector. Owners of electric scooters should be informed of the new requirements to avoid penalties and ensure that their vehicles are in good condition. In addition, consumers should be careful when purchasing new scooters, making sure that they are certified and comply with the legislation. Compliance with these regulations will not only reduce the number of accidents, but will also contribute to better organization of traffic in urban environments.Find out which electric scooters are subject to registration with the Traffic Police in 2025 HERE!