Traffic Rules in Romania

In Germany, we are used to and have adapted to the traffic rules. However, traffic rules are not the same in every country, and there are often regulations that do not exist in Germany at all. For example, speed limits vary, and the condition of the roads is different as well. Traffic lights may not have an amber phase—so where can you refuel? To help you start your journey safely and relaxed, you will find everything you need to know about the traffic rules and conditions in Romania in this article.

The Most Important Points

What Do You Need for the Trip?

For driving through Romania, no international driving licence is required. Your national German driving licence is fully sufficient to drive a vehicle there. The driver must be at least 18 years old.

As proof of valid motor third-party liability insurance, the German licence plate is often sufficient, but in Romania you additionally need the Green Card (International Motor Insurance Card). This confirms that your car is insured for third-party liability, and you can request it free of charge from your motor insurer. This also includes checking with your insurer before departure that you have adequate coverage.

Items you must also carry include:

Anyone driving a vehicle in Romania must comply with the local traffic rules and the speed limit. Even if locals sometimes overlook road signs and may drive inconsiderately, this does not automatically mean you are allowed to do the same. You should drive defensively and cautiously, as trucks and buses may not necessarily be exceptions when it comes to following the rules and may suddenly swerve to avoid potholes or start overtaking.

As Romania’s road network continues to expand and be renewed, toll charges are an important source of revenue. The charges 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). With 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 from us before your trip. Fees depend on the vehicle category and the duration of road use. You can find more information about the toll in our guide.

Here You Will Find All Romanian Vehicle Categories:

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

If you prefer 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 in place. The vignette requirement applies to all roads in the country, except for 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.

Special Toll Sections:

Regardless of the vignette, Danube crossings (by bridge or ferry) are subject to a special toll. This means that in addition to your vignette, you must pay an extra fee to use the following routes:

You can pay the additional toll directly on site.

What Are the Road Conditions Like?

Most sights are easy to reach by car, as the road network around major cities and key transport hubs is in good condition and similar to German standards.

On smaller roads and in remote areas, you may encounter unfinished routes and off-road-like conditions, where extra caution is required.

Speed Limits and Rules

Especially during the summer months, there may be random speed checks. However, you should follow speed limits and traffic rules not only because of enforcement, but also for safety. If you violate them, you may face fines or even licence suspension and driving bans.

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

Maximum Speeds for New Drivers (Licence < 1 Year)

Maximum Speeds

Fines

Fines can be imposed directly by the local police. Since the behaviour and procedures of the Romanian police may differ from those in Germany, remember to ask the police to issue a receipt. This gives you proof of payment in case 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 in time, you avoid an even higher penalty and may even end up paying less.

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

Fines for Speeding:

Fines for Other Offences

The fine for drink-driving is so high for safety reasons, because Romania has a 0.0% alcohol limit, and drink-driving endangers not only your own safety but also the safety of other road users.

What Happens If You Violate the Romanian Road Traffic Regulations?

If you violate the Romanian road traffic regulations, the local police may confiscate your driving licence and issue you with a driving ban for Romania. You will then receive a certificate that allows you to drive in Romania for another 15 days from the date of issue before the ban takes effect. You can appeal the police decision within these 15 days and request the (temporary) return of your driving licence. If you are staying in Romania only briefly, you can apply 24 hours after your licence has been confiscated to have it returned to you one day before you leave Romania for another country. To do so, you must submit the following documents to the responsible traffic police office:

If you do not submit an application, the driving licence will be sent to the German Embassy after about 15 days. It is forwarded by the local traffic police via the county police and the 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 licence is not sent directly but passes through several stages, this can take several weeks.

General Basic Traffic Rules

Daytime Headlight Requirement

In Romania, there is a year-round daytime headlight requirement on motorways and outside built-up areas. In Germany, by contrast, there is no general daytime headlight requirement. This applies only to cars. For motorcycles, the rule is that they must have lights on even in built-up areas and must ride during the day with dipped headlights or daytime running lights. This applies in Romania and in Germany.

Traffic Checks

During a traffic check in Romania, the driver must keep their hands on the steering wheel. No one, not even passengers, may open a car door, and the police instructions must be followed.

Overtaking

Overtaking is strictly prohibited on bridges.

Traffic Lights

In Romania, traffic lights often have no amber phase between red and green. The change is often announced by a countdown timer. Depending on turning options, there may sometimes be two traffic lights directly next to each other. If one light is green and the other is red, only those may drive for whom the arrow indicates the direction. If the arrow points left but you are in the right-turn lane, you must wait until your arrow is green as well.

Roundabouts

Roundabouts are more common in Romania than in Germany. They are also often multi-lane. To avoid ending up in the wrong lane or blocking others, it is important to know the rules for roundabouts. First, you should signal left for as long as you intend to stay in the roundabout. When you are about to take your exit, signal right in good time. There are also rules for choosing the correct lane. For example, if a roundabout has three lanes and three exits and you want to take the first exit, keep to the right. If you want the second exit, use the middle lane, and if you want the third exit, use the left lane beforehand. This allows multiple cars to pass through a multi-lane roundabout without chaos, as everyone already positions themselves in the correct lane depending on the exit they intend to take.

Refuelling and Charging

Refuelling works the same way as in Germany. Prices are roughly around the European average, usually a bit lower.

For electric cars, charging options are somewhat more limited, as there are fewer fuel stations with EV charging facilities. Overall, however, it is mostly fine. In cities, you will find some charging options. In rural areas, you should not rely on them.

Tyres

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

If roads are covered with snow and ice, especially in mountain regions, using snow chains is recommended.

Studded tyres are prohibited, just as they are in Germany.

The DMC 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 cautiously than you would in Germany, and follow the traffic rules described in this guide. With a bit of preparation and by complying with 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 contact us at any time via email.

Michelle Albrecht
Hallo, ich bin Michelle und schreibe für mein Leben gern. Als Texterin habe ich meine Leidenschaft zum Beruf gemacht! Natürlich lasse ich meiner Kreativität auch in meinen eigenen Büchern freien Lauf. Seit ich ein halbes Jahr in Australien gelebt habe, ist meine Reiselust noch größer geworden (und ich hätte nie gedacht, dass das noch möglich ist). Umso mehr freue ich mich, meinen Leserinnen und Lesern Tipps für ihre zukünftigen Abenteuer zu geben!