Traffic rules Romania

In Germany, we have become accustomed and adapted to traffic rules. However, traffic rules are not the same in every country, and there are often rules that do not exist in Germany at all. For example, speed limits differ, and the condition of the roads is also different. Traffic lights have no amber phase, and where can you refuel? So that you can start your journey safely and relaxed, this article covers everything you need to know about traffic rules and conditions in Romania.

The Most Important Points

If your vehicle already has damage when entering Romania, you must declare and document it at the border crossing. Vehicles that show visible damage after the trip may only leave the country with a police damage confirmation.
Rental cars: Although you are allowed to drive a car in Romania from the age of 18, you must be at least 21 years old to rent a car there. In addition, you must have held your driving licence for at least one year and should expect an additional young driver fee for those under 25.
In mountain areas, there may also be road sections where snow chains are required.
After paying a fine, you should have a receipt issued to you so that there are no misunderstandings and you have proof of your payment.

What Do You Need for the Journey?

An international driving licence is not required for driving through Romania. The national German driving licence is perfectly sufficient to drive a vehicle there. The driver must be at least 18 years old.

As proof of a valid motor vehicle liability insurance, the German number plate alone is often sufficient, but in Romania you additionally need the IVK (International Insurance Card). This shows that your car has motor vehicle liability insurance, and you can apply for the card free of charge from your motor vehicle insurer. This also includes checking with your car insurer before your trip that you have adequate insurance cover.

Other items you must also take with you include:

A fire extinguisher
A first aid kit
Enough high-visibility vests for all passengers
A warning triangle

Everyone driving through Romania in a vehicle must comply with the local traffic rules and the speed limit. Although locals are known to overlook a road sign and sometimes drive recklessly, you are not automatically permitted to do the same. You should drive defensively and carefully, as lorries and buses do not necessarily make an exception when following the rules either and may abruptly swerve to avoid a pothole or begin overtaking.

As Romania's road network is continuously being expanded and renewed, toll fees are an important source of revenue. The fees are collected via a digital vignette. The Romanian vignette (Rovinieta) is time-limited and applies to all motor vehicles except motorcycles (which are exempt from the vignette requirement). Thanks to this system, you do not have to stop at toll booths, making your journey easier. To avoid stress, you can purchase the digital vignette for Romania here with us before your trip begins. The fees depend on the vehicle category and the duration of road use. You can find more information about the toll in our guide.

If you would like to purchase vignettes from us, you can do so stress-free before your trip.

If, however, you would like to buy the vignette on-site or at a border crossing, that is of course also possible. Cameras and sensors automatically check whether a valid digital or sticker vignette is present. The vignette requirement applies to all roads in the country, with the exception of sections of national roads that lie within municipal boundaries between the entry and exit signs. For Danube crossings towards Bulgaria, an additional special toll must be paid.

Sections Subject to Special Tolls:

Regardless of the vignette, Danube crossings (by bridge or ferry) are subject to a special toll. Therefore, in addition to your vignette, you must pay a fee for using the following routes:

Bridge Calafat (RO) - Vidin (BG)
Bridge Giurgiu (RO) - Ruse (BG)
Bridge Fetesti (RO) - Cernavoda (RO)
Bridge Giurgeni (RO) - Vadu Oii (RO)
Ferry Turnu Magurele (RO) - Nikopole (BG)
Ferry Zimnicea (RO) - Switschtow (BG)
Ferry Bechet (RO) - Oreahovo (BG)

The additional toll can be paid directly on-site.

What Is the Condition of the Roads?

Most attractions can be reached comfortably by car, as around major cities and important traffic hubs the road network is in good condition and similar to German standards.

On smaller roads and in remote areas, you may encounter undeveloped and off-road-like roads where particular caution is required.

Speed Limits and Rules

Especially during the summer months, there may be random speed checks. However, you should adhere to the speed limit and traffic rules not only because of this, but also for safety reasons. If you violate them, you may face fines or even a licence revocation and driving ban.

Speed limits apply nationwide unless road signs indicate an exception. For new drivers who have held their licence for less than one year, the speed limits outside built-up areas, on expressways and on motorways are each 20 km/h lower.

Maximum Speeds for New Drivers (Driving LicenceMotorways: 110 km/h Expressways: 80 km/h Outside built-up areas: 70 km/h Within built-up areas: 50 km/hMaximum SpeedsMotorways: 130 km/h Expressways: 100 km/h Outside built-up areas: 90 km/h Within built-up areas: 50 km/hFines

Fines can be issued directly by the police on-site. Since the behaviour and regulations of the Romanian police may differ from the German police, you should remember to have a receipt issued by the police. This way, you have proof of your payment in the event of misunderstandings or sudden changes.

Unlike in Germany, you can receive up to a 50% reduction if you pay the fine within two days. This rule applies in many countries. So if you take care of paying your fine promptly, you will not invite an even higher penalty and may even get away with a lower one.

This naturally depends on the offence and the discretion of the police.

Fines for Speeding:

20 km/h over the limit: from 60 euros
50 km/h over the limit: from 265 euros

Fines for Other Violations

No high-visibility vest when leaving the vehicle, e.g. after an accident: from 45 euros
Seatbelt violation: from 60 euros
No valid vignette: from 80 euros
Using a mobile phone while driving: from 115 euros
Running a red light: from 175 euros
Illegal parking: up to 175 euros
Drink driving: from 265 euros

The fine for drink driving is so high partly for safety reasons, because in Romania the blood alcohol limit is 0.0% and you endanger not only your own safety but also the safety of other drivers.

What Happens If You Violate Romanian Traffic Law?

If you violate the Romanian Road Traffic Act, the local police can confiscate your driving licence and issue you with a driving ban for Romania. You will then receive a certificate allowing you to drive in Romania for another 15 days from the date of issue before the ban comes into effect. Within these 15 days, an objection can be lodged against the police's decision and the (provisional) return of the driving licence can be requested. For a short stay in Romania, you can apply 24 hours after your driving licence has been confiscated to have your licence handed back to you one day before your departure from Romania to another country. You must present the following documents to the responsible traffic police authority:

a declaration to be submitted before a notary, in which you state the date of your departure
a copy of the flight, train or bus ticket, if you are not leaving by car
a copy of the "Dovada" (see above: certificate allowing travel in Romania for 15 days without a driving licence)
a copy of the police report ("proces verbal")
a copy of proof that the imposed fine has been paid
a copy of your identity card/passport.

If you do not submit an application, the driving licence will be sent to the German Embassy after approximately 15 days. The driving licence is sent by the local traffic police, via the district police and the road traffic directorate of the police in Bucharest, to the German Embassy. The Embassy then forwards your driving licence via the Federal Motor Transport Authority in Flensburg to the responsible German authority. Since the driving licence is not sent directly but via several stages to the Federal Motor Transport Authority, this can take several weeks.

General Basic Traffic Rules

Lighting Requirement

In Romania, on motorways and outside built-up areas, there is a general daytime lighting requirement all year round. In Germany, on the other hand, there is no general daytime lighting requirement. This applies only to cars. For motorcycles, the rule is that they must also have their lights on within built-up areas and must ride with dipped headlights or daytime running lights on during the day as well. This applies in Romania and in Germany.

Traffic Controls

During a traffic check in Romania, the driver must keep their hands on the steering wheel. No one, including passengers, may open a car door, and the instructions of the police must be followed.

Overtaking

On bridges, overtaking is strictly prohibited.

Traffic Lights

Traffic lights in Romania often have no amber phase between red and green. The change is often announced by a second counter. Sometimes, depending on the turning options, two traffic lights are positioned directly next to each other. If one light is green and the other is red, those indicated by the arrow are permitted to proceed. If the arrow points left but you are in the right-turn lane, you must wait until your arrow also turns green.

Roundabouts

In Romania, roundabouts are more common than in Germany. In addition, they often consist of multiple lanes. To avoid finding yourself in the wrong lane or blocking others, it is important to know the rules for roundabouts. First, you must indicate left for as long as you intend to remain in the roundabout. When you are about to take your exit, signal right in good time. There are also rules for getting into the correct lane. For example, if the roundabout has three lanes and three exits and you want to take the first exit, move into the right lane. If you want to take the second exit, move into the middle lane, and if you want to take the third exit, move into the left lane beforehand. This allows multiple cars to navigate the multi-lane roundabout at the same time without chaos, as everyone taking a different exit has already moved into the correct lane in advance.

Refuelling and Charging

Refuelling works just as it does in Germany. Prices are roughly around the European average. Usually slightly below it.

For electric cars, the option to charge is somewhat more limited, as there are fewer petrol stations with EV charging facilities. However, it is largely manageable. In cities, there are some charging options available. In rural areas, you cannot rely on finding them.

Tyres

In snow or ice and in wintry road conditions in general, winter tyres (M+S marking) must be used.
When roads are covered in snow and ice, especially in mountain areas, it is recommended to use snow chains.
Studded tyres are, just as in Germany, prohibited.

The Europamaut Team Wishes You a Pleasant Journey!

Driving in Romania is not much more dangerous or difficult than in Germany. Make sure to drive more defensively and carefully than in Germany and follow the traffic rules described in this guide. With a little preparation and by adhering to the rules, you should not encounter any problems.

We wish you a safe journey and an unforgettable travel adventure. Feel free to use our route planner for your planning. If you have any questions, you can reach us at any time by email.