Taking a BG reg car to Ireland

Our man in Havana

Would it be ok for me to take my BG reg car to Ireland for 2 to 3 months over the winter? I would be returning to BG in the spring.

I have all the documents and my licence is a BG one along with my residents permit card.

Would all that be ok if I am staying at the parents for the duration?

Mr Simpson

I can't see why not, you're not a permanent resident of Ireland, you would just be here on a temporary visit. Maybe keep proof of your Bulgarian address, do you have a bulgarian residents card or travel card (or something of that nature)?, Just to prove you're resident there.

edit: Here's a little bit more info, vrt.ie

Our man in Havana

Yes, I has a Bulgarian residents card with my address on it.

I am just worried they will immediately figure out I am not a Bulgarian.

Mr Simpson

It doesn't matter whether you're Irish or not, if you're resident outside of the state for more than 185 days per year, for purposes other than being a student, then you're a non-resident, so you are perfectly entitled to bring your bulgarian car here. To be honest, I wouldn't worry too much, you're doing it legally, and the chances of anyone even questioning it are very slim.

CiniO

Our man in Havana wrote: »

Yes, I has a Bulgarian residents card with my address on it.

I am just worried they will immediately figure out I am not a Bulgarian.

You can always pretend to be Bulgarian ;P

haminka

how would they figure out you're not Bulgarian? my experience here is that you can be blue and covered with pink spots and people will believe it's just how the people from overseas look like

Marcusm

I drive UK cars when I'm in Ireland and have not had a problem. Stopped once off the ferry (out of maybe 20 times) and once by static breath test. I always have overseas correspondence in my possession (electricity bill or suchlike). There might be a presumption that you are living in Ireland but should be fairly easily rebutted based On what you've said/posted here in the past, ie you genuinely live in Bulgaria.

MuppetCheck

The only issue I can see is insurance but most cover you for 90 days in other EU countries per year - I would call them to confirm this. From my own insurance some countries have shorter restrictions on them.

Our man in Havana

My main concern is that they will just assume I live in Ireland due simply to being Irish.

Our man in Havana

MuppetCheck wrote: »

The only issue I can see is insurance but most cover you for 90 days in other EU countries per year - I would call them to confirm this. From my own insurance some countries have shorter restrictions on them.

This is not an issue. My BG insurance allows me to go anywhere in the 45 countries covered on my green card for as long as the policy is in force. No such thing as fire/theft/comp insurance here.

MuppetCheck

Our man in Havana wrote: »

This is not an issue. My BG insurance allows me to go anywhere in the 45 countries covered on my green card for as long as the policy is in force. No such thing as fire/theft/comp insurance here.

In that case I would not worry.

Having all your Bulgarian details available on request if you are stopped should make anything else a non-issue. You will be in a position to prove that you are a resident there and are home visiting/extended holiday.

CiniO

Our man in Havana wrote: »

This is not an issue. My BG insurance allows me to go anywhere in the 45 countries covered on my green card for as long as the policy is in force. No such thing as fire/theft/comp insurance here.

So there is no way to insure your own car against fire/theft or accidental damage in Bulgaria?

keithclancy

Our man in Havana wrote: »

My main concern is that they will just assume I live in Ireland due simply to being Irish.

Makes no difference, its where your resident that matters.

I drove back to Ireland last year and had no problems.

Our man in Havana

CiniO wrote: »

So there is no way to insure your own car against fire/theft or accidental damage in Bulgaria?

Nope.

CiniO

Our man in Havana wrote: »

Nope.

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

I can see a great idea for insurance business there

EDIT:
EEeee that's not true:

Optional Fully Comprehensive Insurance (Автокаско)

Additional fully comprehensive insurance for theft, fire and vandalism (for example) are optional. The insurance policy can apply to Bulgaria exclusively, or be valid for Bulgaria and the rest of the EU. The premium paid depends on a number of factors including the car's age, engine capacity, make and model.

A fully comprehensive insurance policy may be compulsory if leasing a vehicle from a dealer.
How to get fully comprehensive insurance

The insurance company requires the following documents:

Proof of identity of the car's owner or the official representative of the owner
Vehicle registration document (Регистрационен талон)
Valid MOT certificate (талон за Годишен технически преглед)

The insurance agent provides a form to be filled in, the vehicle then undergoes an inspection to check for possible dents, defects or damaged parts. The vehicle insurance is then issued.

Fully comprehensive insurance contracts are available for foreign registered vehicles as long as proof is provided to show that the vehicle is currently roadworthy in its country of registration.

Fully comprehensive insurance policies cover the following risks:

Fire and natural calamities
Road accidents
Vandalism
Vehicle theft

Source

Our man in Havana

It is not offered when you go looking for insurance. It certainly is not worth it for the vast majority of cars on the road here. I mentioned it once and was greeted with howls of laughter.

All you do is show the log book and they give you the insurance card and window sticker. They don't ask about the drivers at all.