Roadside Assistance License in Bulgaria

Many of our clients, professional drivers who, after years of work and accumulated experience in the field of road transport, decide to take the next step in their career — to register their own road assistance company, often ask us some of the following questions:

‍How much does a license cost for roadside assistance?‍
What are the requirements for roadside assistance?‍
Do you need a license for roadside assistance?
Are there any new requirements for roadside assistance?
‍Do I need a license for a road help up to 3.5 tons?
Is there Road Assistance Act/new law from 2024?‍
What are the requirements for special car - roadside assistance?

All those who plan to carry out activities as road assistance and repatriate damaged cars should be able to offer a quality service for the transportation of damaged or damaged vehicles, and this requires not only professional skills and equipment, but also compliance with a number of legal requirements and regulations, which in this material we will consider in detail.

The road assistance activity in Bulgaria is associated with a number of challenges, not least — with the increased danger posed by the transport of an accident or damaged vehicle. For this reason, the state has introduced a restrictive regime aimed at ensuring road safety, both for road users and for road assistance operators themselves.

The implementation of this activity is subject to strict control by the Road Infrastructure Agency. An important condition for the registration of a road assistance company is its entry in a special register of persons engaged in such activity. This registration not only legitimizes the activity of the company before the state and customers, but is also a prerequisite for carrying out the legally regulated activity in a safe and responsible manner.

For the successful registration of a road assistance company and obtaining a license to carry out this activity, it is necessary for applicants to be aware of all legal requirements, regulations and procedures that must be followed. This includes, but is not limited to, the preparation of the appropriate documents, the provision of the necessary machinery and equipment, as well as the demonstration of professional competence for the safe operation of the transport of damaged or damaged vehicles.

When is a roadside assistance license required in Bulgaria?

The requirement for a roadside assistance license is mandatory for all operators, regardless of the weight of their platform. According to Bulgarian law, anyone who wants to carry out road assistance activities on roads open to public use must be registered and hold a valid license. This applies to both platforms with a mass of up to 3.5 tons, and heavier ones. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure that all operators meet certain safety and competence standards, providing reliable and efficient roadside assistance.

How many tons can you drive without a license?

There is no such option!Regardless of the mass and characteristics of the vehicle that is used to carry out activities as road assistance and regardless of the categories that the driver possesses, always the licensing and registration under Art. 24e of the Road Transport Act are mandatory and are required before a person starts to drive road assistance!

Is there a fine for driving without a roadside assistance license?

Yes, there is! The fines are from 1000 to 2000 BGN, and in addition, the vehicle is stopped from traffic for a period of up to 12 months!According to Art. 104i of the Road Transport Act, persons who provide road assistance without the necessary license are subject to a fine of BGN 1000. If the vehicle used for road assistance does not meet the mandatory requirements, is not appropriately marked or is not registered in the relevant register, financial penalties in the amount of BGN 1000 or BGN 500 are also imposed, depending on the specific violation. In case of repetition of violations, the amount of penalties is doubled. This highlights the strict rules and penalties applicable to roadside assistance activities to ensure the safety and regulation of this type of service. On the other hand, pursuant to Article 106a of the Road Transport Act, when the inspection authorities establish that an unlicensed vehicle is being transported with an unlicensed vehicle without the requirements of Article 24f being met, a forced administrative measure is imposed - a traffic stop!

What are the requirements for the specialized roadside assistance platform?

To operate a specialized roadside assistance platform, you need to carefully select the vehicle category and make sure that it meets all regulatory requirements.

The requirements for the provision of roadside assistance cover several key aspects important for those who want to provide this service.

The first important condition is to have at least one specialized vehicle for the purpose. It is important to know that road assistance vehicles must meet certain criteria and be equipped specifically for the transport of damaged or crashed cars. They must be of category N2 or N3, but vehicles of category can also be used N1if equipped with the necessary lifting equipment. Drivers of these vehicles must meet the requirements of minimum age and legal capacity, as well as pass a course of professional competence. Finally, to successfully carry out roadside assistance, you must also have a phone number that customers can use to call the service.

Important! Vehicles of category N1 correspond to a type B driver's license, while those of categories N2/N3 usually correspond to category C!

What category do we need - B, C, B+E?

The Necessary CategoryThe amount that the driver of a dedicated roadside assistance platform should have depends entirely on the weight of the platform and the vehicles being transported.

Category B allows the control of vehicles up to 3.5 t (that is, trucks of category N1), which includes the weight of the vehicle itself and the load(i.e. the vehicle being transported). If you plan to transport heavy vehicles, you may need to look at categories C or B+E, which allow for the operation of heavier and larger formations.

Can I drive roadside assistance up to 3.5t?

‍With category B, it is possible to drive road assistance vehicles up to a maximum permissible weight of 3.5 t. This includes the total weight of the platform and the vehicle being transported. However, it is important to take into account that the weight of damaged or crashed cars can often exceed the permissible, which necessitates the use of a larger and more powerful platform with the corresponding category of driving rights.

In conclusion, for the successful and lawful operation of a dedicated roadside assistance platform, it is critical to understand and comply with all regulatory requirements, including the appropriate category of driving rights, as well as to ensure that the vehicle is properly equipped and registered to carry out this type of activity.

How do you register a company and get a roadside assistance license?

Registration of a road assistance company under the Road Transport Act requires strict adherence to regulated procedures and legal requirements. This process involves several key steps and the provision of specific documents to ensure the lawful conduct of the activity.

Tow-truck company registration in Bulgaria

For the establishment of a company that is suitable as a basis for developing activities such as roadside assistance, the appropriate legal forms are Sole Proprietorship with Limited Liability (EOOD) or Limited Liability Company (Ltd), depending on the availability of partners. It is important that the company is registered under the Commercial Law or the Law on Non-Profit Legal Entities and meets the specified criteria for providing road assistance, including the possession of at least one vehicle with Bulgarian registration that meets the requirements for the safe transportation of damaged or damaged vehicles.

Roadside Assistance License

The next step involves submitting a written application to the Executive Agency “Automobile Administration” for entry into the register of persons performing road assistance. The application must contain the name and registration details of the applicant, a list of vehicles and the address of the operating base. An important element is the provision of a certified copy of a rental agreement or leasing of cars when using non-proprietary vehicles, as well as a document certifying the rights of the person as a subscriber to the road assistance telephone number.

Executive Agency “Automobile Administration” maintains a public register of persons performing road assistance, where the data of the registration certificate, name and EIC of the person, data on motor vehicles, telephone number for calling road assistance and address of the operating base are entered.

For successful registration and entry in the register, it is necessary to comply with all the specified requirements and provide accurate and complete documents. This ensures the right of the company to carry out roadside assistance, while ensuring compliance with the legal frameworks for safety and reliability of the service.

Necessary documents

To issue a certificate of entry in the Register of persons performing road assistance, the following documents are required:

Sample application- Here the main data of the applicant are indicated, including the name and registration data.
List of vehicles- A list of the vehicles with which roadside assistance will be carried out must be provided, including their registration numbers and make/model.
A certified copy of a lease or lease- It is necessary when the vehicles are not owned by the applicant, with an indication that they are used for road assistance.
Document on the rights of the subscriber- Proof of the rights of the person as a subscriber to the telephone number for calling road assistance must be presented.

These documents are submitted to the relevant department “Automobile Administration”, as part of the registration process. It is important that the documents are filled in carefully and accurately in order to avoid delays or refusals in the registration procedure.

Is there a state fee?

For entry in the register of persons performing road assistance, THERE ARE NO STATE FEES, according to Tariff No. 5 for the fees that are collected in the system of the Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications!

Why trust Elan Consulting for registration, accounting and issuance of a roadside assistance license?

In order to provide high-quality and comprehensive support to your business in the field of registration, accounting and issuance of a roadside assistance license, Elan Consulting offers integrated services that are fully tailored to your individual needs. Our company has extensive experience and specialized knowledge in tax and accounting legislation, which allows us to offer accurate and effective solutions for your business.

In addition, our cooperation with the law firm “Kolybanekova & Partners” allows us to provide additional legal support and advice on the registration of a sports club and other specific aspects of business in the field of sports. This ensures that your legal and tax issues will be addressed effectively and in accordance with current legal frameworks.

We value your time and strive to optimize the registration and licensing processes by offering clear guidance and support throughout the process. We focus on providing a personalized approach, understanding the unique goals and challenges facing your business, and finding the best strategies to achieve them.

Ultimately, our goal is to give you peace of mind knowing that your accounting, tax and legal needs are in the hands of professionals. By choosing Elan Consulting, you are choosing a reliable partner who is committed to the success and sustainable development of your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the added value of Elan Consulting accounting services for my roadside assistance business?

The accounting services of Elan Consulting offer not only correct accounting of your company, but also strategic financial planning, which can significantly improve the financial health of your company. We offer individualized advice and advice on tax breaks and optimizations that can lead to significant savings and better resource management.

What documents are needed to issue a roadside assistance license?

For the issuance of a roadside assistance license, the following documents are required: a sample application, a list of road assistance vehicles, a rental agreement or leasing of vehicles, a certificate of rights as a subscriber to the road assistance telephone number, and a document on the paid fee for issuing the license. Elan Consulting can help you with the preparation and submission of all necessary documents.

Why should I choose Elan Consulting for the registration of my roadside assistance company?

By choosing Elan Consulting, you trust years of experience in registering companies and issuing roadside assistance licenses. Our competence ensures that your registration and all necessary procedures will be carried out quickly, correctly and in accordance with the latest legal requirements. Also, we offer a comprehensive accounting service that will help you optimize your tax obligations and manage your finances efficiently.