[size=55:26os8do2]novinite 25 September 2010

Bulgarian Driver's License Costs EUR 650



Bulgarians who fail their driver's license tests usually purchase the licenses for about EUR 650, or BGN 1300, revealed a senior driving instructor.

Yonko Ivanov, who is the head of the Union of Driving Instructors, said in Veliko Tarnovo Saturday that about 30% of all driver's licenses in Bulgaria are acquired through corruption, BNR reported.

Ivanov pointed out that the corruption allowed each instructor to make daily the equivalent of a monthly pay of a Bulgarian Member of Parliament, i.e. at least BGN 1000-2000.

He did express hopes that the introduction of video observation in driving test facilities as of October 1, 2010, should help crack down on much of the corruption.

At the same time, however, Ivanov fears that many instructors will quit their jobs if they have to earn "
only"
their legal montly salary, which is about BGN 500, a sum most of them currently make in a few hours by taking bribes.

Bulgaria has been plagued by horrific traffic accidents in past years causing many deaths, and most of those are believed to be resulting from the inadequate control over the training of the drivers.

its evidently clear too see that many bulgarians cannot drive, they take uncalculated risks, unable to manovere roundabouts, unable to reverse or park properly. they are a danger to other road users as they have no respect for other drivers. i have been horrified at what i have seen and the risks they take which put you in danger and your the one that has to take evasive action. its bad especially on the numerous country roads. thats why you see so many grave stones on the side ot the road. waste of young lives.

Admin wrote:

[size=55:4xislmls]novinite 25 September 2010

Bulgarian Driver's License Costs EUR 650



Bulgarians who fail their driver's license tests usually purchase the licenses for about EUR 650, or BGN 1300, revealed a senior driving instructor.

Yonko Ivanov, who is the head of the Union of Driving Instructors, said in Veliko Tarnovo Saturday that about 30% of all driver's licenses in Bulgaria are acquired through corruption, BNR reported.

Ivanov pointed out that the corruption allowed each instructor to make daily the equivalent of a monthly pay of a Bulgarian Member of Parliament, i.e. at least BGN 1000-2000.

He did express hopes that the introduction of video observation in driving test facilities as of October 1, 2010, should help crack down on much of the corruption.



At the same time, however, Ivanov fears that many instructors will quit their jobs if they have to earn "
only"
their legal montly salary, which is about BGN 500, a sum most of them currently make in a few hours by taking bribes.

Bulgaria has been plagued by horrific traffic accidents in past years causing many deaths, and most of those are believed to be resulting from the inadequate control over the training of the drivers.

I have it on pretty good authority that the figure of 30% quoted above is, in fact, closer to 60%. So, the Bulgarian recipe for success is take someone who cannot drive, put them behind the wheel of a high-powered Merc or BMW and there you go, instant population decrease. Another Bulgarian success story.

Authorities crack down on illegal sale of Bulgarian drivers' licences

The illegal sale of driving licences to non-qualified drivers, one of the major causes of Bulgaria's high mortality rate, has been dealt a heavy blow, according to authorities.

After electronic surveillance, or CCTV, was introduced in all vehicles, and instructors and students were put under constant surveillance, in less than two months the number of people who "
passed the test"
had fallen by more than 25 per cent, Transport Minister Alexander Tsvetkov told Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) on November 22 2010.

The legislative action, designed to tackle the notorious sale of illegitimate licences, was launched in the middle of 2010, but its implementation was delayed because of appeal procedures concerning the equipment due to be installed. Eventually, at the beginning of October, the first 70 CCTV cameras were installed in test rooms, where they recorded the nature of the actual exams.

Cars were also equipped with surveillance equipment, fastened to the wind-shields, fitted by personnel from the Auto-mobile Administration.

Once the equipment was set up, they were ready to record the entire driving test. Once the test was complete, the equipment would be detached, and the record on tape can be stored for legal purposes for up to 12 months, the report said.

Another measure implemented to tackle corruption in the sector was the abolition of the evaluation commission, which used to oversee the thematic test and would normally "
mark"
the students on site.

Under the current system, once the exam is completed, the envelope is sealed and is sent to the respective regional department of the "
Automobile Administration"
.

Mine only cost 800 leva, but then I can drive and that was a few years ago.

Regards, George

[size=55:36itszyh]novinite

Bulgarian Govt 'Raised' Driver's License Test Bribes

The much advertised measures of the Bulgarian government to eradicate corruption in issuing driver's licenses have backfired, according to Bulgarian auto transport experts.

The recent introduction of cameras and video surveillance in testing centres for drivers' exams has only served to raise the bribes that earlier averaged BGN 300 to some BGN 1200 – 1500, according to Apostol Apostolov, head of the Bulgarian Association of Auto Study Centres, who speak at an organizational meeting in Stara Zagora, as cited by Darik Radio.

In his words, the video surveillance is avoided with the examinees pretending to be filling out the test forms, and once the exam is over, they go to another room where the examination papers are filled out correctly in exchange for the bribes.

The Association has thus insisted that the theoretical exams for driver's licenses become computer based.

They further argue that the exams should be taken away from the Transport Ministry and should be administered by the Education Ministry.

The Association of Auto Study Centres adopted a declaration with their proposals to be submitted to the Parliament.

The buying of driver's licenses has been a severe issue in Bulgaria as this type of corruption leads directly to many deaths as it translates in an increasing number of hellish car crashes.