Traffic rules Romania

In Germany, we are used and adapted to the traffic rules. However, traffic rules are not the same in every country and there are often traffic 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 yellow phase, and where can you refuel? So that you can start your journey safely and relaxed, you will find everything about the traffic rules and conditions in Romania in this article.

The Most Important Facts

• If your vehicle already has damage when entering Romania, you must absolutely declare this at the border crossing and have it documented. 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 at 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 expect an additional young driver fee for those under 25.

• In mountainous areas, there may also be road sections where snow chains are required.

• After paying a fine, you should have a receipt issued so that there are no misunderstandings and you have proof of your payment.

What do you need for the trip?

No international driving licence is required for driving through Romania. The national German driving licence is completely sufficient to drive a vehicle there. The driver must be at least 18 years old.

As proof of valid motor vehicle liability insurance, often just the German number plate is sufficient, but in Romania you additionally need the IVK (International Insurance Card). This shows that your car has liability insurance, and you can request the card free of charge from your motor vehicle insurer. This also includes finding out from your car insurer about sufficient insurance coverage before starting your trip.

Among the things you must also bring with you are:

• A fire extinguisher

• A first aid kit

• enough high-visibility vests for all passengers

• A warning triangle

Everyone who drives through Romania with a vehicle must comply with the local traffic rules and the speed limit. Although locals like to occasionally overlook a road sign and sometimes drive recklessly, the same is not automatically permitted for you. You should drive defensively and carefully, as trucks and buses also don't necessarily make an exception when following the rules and may abruptly swerve to avoid a pothole or start overtaking.

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

Here you will find all Romanian vehicle classes:

• Category A: Cars & motorhomes

• Category B: Small vans

• Category C: Vehicles

• Category D: Vehicles (2 axles) > 7.5t-12t GVW

• Category E: Vehicles from 12t GVW (2-3 axles)

• Category F: Vehicles from 12t GVW (4+ axles)

• Category G: Vehicles with 9-23 seats (incl. driver)

• Category H: Vehicles with > 23 seats (incl. driver)

If you would like to buy vignettes with us, you can do this stress-free before your trip.

However, if 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 the Calafat-Vidin Danube Bridge, an additional special toll must be paid.

Road sections subject to special toll:

Regardless of the vignette, the Calafat (RO) - Vidin (BG) Danube Bridge is subject to a special toll. This means that, in addition to your vignette, you must pay a fee for using the following route:

• Bridge Calafat (RO) - Vidin (BG)

You can pay the additional toll directly on site.

The former bridge toll at the Danube bridges Fetești-Cernavodă, Giurgeni-Vadu Oii and Giurgiu-Ruse (direction Bulgaria) will be abolished from 1 October 2026. For ferries, you pay the usual ferry fare. This is not a toll.

What is the condition of the roads?

Most sights can be easily reached by car, as the road network around the major cities and important traffic points is in good condition and similar to the German standard.

On smaller roads and in remote areas, there may be unpaved and off-road-like roads, where special caution is advised.

Speed limits and rules

Especially in the summer months, there may be random speed checks. You should adhere to the speed limit and traffic rules not only for this reason, but also for safety. If you violate them, you may face fines or even having your driving licence revoked and a driving ban.

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

Maximum speeds for novice drivers (driving licence under 1 year)

• Motorways: 110 km/h

• Expressways: 80 km/h

• Outside built-up areas: 70 km/h

• Within built-up areas: 50 km/h

Maximum speeds

• Motorways: 130 km/h

• Expressways: 100 km/h

• Outside built-up areas: 90 km/h

• Within built-up areas: 50 km/h

Fines can be imposed directly by the local police. 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. Then you will have proof of your payment in case of misunderstandings or sudden changes.

Unlike in Germany, you can receive a discount of up to 50% if you pay the fine within two days. This rule applies in many countries. So if you take care of paying your fine in time, you won't incur an even higher penalty and might even get away with a lower one.

Of course, this depends on the penalty and the discretion of the police.

Fines for speeding violations:

• 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. in the event of an accident: from 45 euros

• Violation of the seatbelt requirement: from 60 euros

• No valid vignette: from 80 euros

• Mobile phone while driving: from 115 euros

• Running a red light: from 175 euros

• Incorrect parking: up to 175 euros

• Drink driving: from 265 euros

The fine for alcohol while 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 road traffic regulations?

If you violate the Romanian road traffic regulations, the local police can confiscate your driving licence and issue you a driving ban for Romania. You will then receive a certificate with which you may still drive in Romania for 15 days from the date of issue before the ban takes effect. During these 15 days, you can appeal against the police's decision and apply for the (provisional) return of your driving licence. In the case of a short stay in Romania, 24 hours after your driving licence has been confiscated, you can apply for your driving licence to be handed over to you one day before your departure from Romania to another country. You must present the following documents to the responsible traffic police office for this:

• a declaration to be submitted to a notary, in which you state the day 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 you to drive in Romania for 15 days without a driving licence)

• a copy of the police report ("proces verbal")

• a copy of the proof of payment of the imposed fine

• 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 Bucharest police's traffic directorate, to the German Embassy. The embassy then forwards your driving licence via the Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt) in Flensburg to the responsible German authority. Since the driving licence is not sent directly but via several stations to the Federal Motor Transport Authority, this can take several weeks.

General basic traffic rules

Lighting requirement

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

Traffic checks

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

There is a strict overtaking ban on bridges.

Traffic lights

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

Roundabout

Roundabouts are more common in Romania than in Germany. In addition, these often consist of several lanes. In order not to end up in the wrong lane there or block the way for others, it is important to know the rules for roundabouts. First, you must indicate left for as long as you intend to stay in the roundabout. If you want to take your exit soon, indicate 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, get into the right lane. If you want to take the second exit, get into the middle lane, and if you want to take the third exit, get into the left lane beforehand. This way, several cars can drive through the multi-lane roundabout at once without chaos, as everyone taking a different exit has already got into the correct lane beforehand.

Refuelling and charging

Refuelling works the same way as in Germany. Prices are roughly at the European average. Usually a bit below that.

For electric cars, the possibility of charging is somewhat more limited, as there are fewer petrol stations with e-charging functionality. However, it is largely fine. There are some charging options in the cities. In the countryside, you cannot rely on this.

Tyres

• In snow or ice and in winter road conditions in general, winter tyres (M+S marking) must be used.

• If the roads are covered with snow and ice, especially in mountainous areas, it is recommended to use snow chains.

• Spikes 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. Be sure to drive more defensively and cautiously than in Germany and to adhere to the traffic rules described in this guide. With a little preparation and compliance with the rules, you should not encounter any problems.

We wish you a safe trip 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.