To drive from Ukraine to Moldova by your own car, you need to prepare and familiarise yourself with the rules. Find out more about the rules of border crossing, necessary documents, convenient routes, peculiarities of traffic rules in Moldova and other important nuances

Insurance policy Green card for traveling abroad by car

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To travel to Moldova by car, you need to know all the nuances and rules of the country in advance. We will tell you about the rules of entry, checkpoints, necessary documents, fines and other details that will be useful during your trip in the article below. 

Ukraine - Moldova: documents for crossing the border

Ukraine and Moldova have a visa-free regime, so there is no need to collect a large number of documents for travelling. Ukrainians have the right to stay in Moldova for up to 90 days within 180 days without a visa. 

To cross the border from Ukraine to Moldova by car, you must have:

● a valid biometric or regular international passport. It is recommended that the passport is valid for at least 3 months after the planned departure from Moldova;

● a valid driving licence;

● car registration certificate;

● certificate of registration;

● identification mark of Ukraine - UA sticker;

● Green Card policy.

Please note! Only cars with Ukrainian state licence plates can successfully cross the border with Moldova. Individual number plates are valid only on the territory of Ukraine.

Green Card to enter Moldova

For Ukrainian citizens planning a trip to Moldova by their own car, a Green Card is mandatory.

The Green Card is a compulsory international motor third party liability insurance policy that covers the costs of compensation for damage caused to life, health and property of third parties as a result of an accident in Moldova and other member states of the international Green Card agreement.

Without a Green Card, entry to Moldova by a foreign car (i.e. a car with Ukrainian registration) is prohibited. It should be borne in mind that the insurance starts the next day after the registration, so we advise you to read the terms and conditions in advance and purchase a Green Card insurance policy. 

It is better to buy insurance online because it is quick and easy. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can apply for a Green Card policy from a licensed insurer. Packages are available for different periods from 15 days to 1 year for cars and trucks, trailers and semi-trailers for trucks, as well as motorcycles and scooters. 

Penalty for not having a Green Card in Moldova

As of 4 July 2024, if you do not have a Green Card when travelling to Moldova, you may face a fine of EUR 200 to EUR 2000. The exact amount of the fine depends on several factors:

● Length of overstay. The longer you stay in Moldova without a Green Card, the higher the fine will be.

● The type of vehicle. Fines for cars, trucks and buses may differ.

● The place where you were stopped. In some cases, for example, near the border, the fine may be higher.

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Route Ukraine - Moldova: border crossing points

Travelling by car is one of the most convenient ways to get to Moldova. The main motorways connecting Ukraine and Moldova are in good condition, although road repairs are possible in some places. 

There are several major road crossings between Ukraine and Moldova:

● Mamalyga - Kryva. Chernivtsi-Moldovan border crossing point. The nearest checkpoint to Chisinau is 120 km away.

● Mohyliv-Podilskyi - Otach. Located in the central part, which is convenient for those travelling from Vinnytsia region. The distance to Chisinau is about 230 km. 

● Vynohradivka - Vulcanesti. Convenient for those travelling from the southern part of Ukraine. The distance to Chisinau is about 280 km. 

● Tabaki - Myrne. Convenient for those travelling from the southern part of Ukraine. The distance to Chisinau is about 270 km. 

● Palanca - Mayaki - Udobne. Convenient for those travelling from the southern part of Ukraine. The distance to Chisinau is about 260 km. 

● Reni - Giurgiulesti. Convenient for those travelling from the southern part of Ukraine. The longest journey time to Chisinau is about 250 km. 

How long will it take to get from Ukrainian cities to the border with Moldova by car?

● From Kyiv:

The nearest checkpoint: Mamalyga - Kryva.

Distance: 305 km.

Travelling time: 5 hours 44 minutes.

● From Lviv:

Nearest checkpoint: Mohyliv-Podilskyi - Otach (Vinnytsia region).

Distance: 420 km.

Travelling time: 7 hours and 20 minutes.

● From Odesa:

The nearest checkpoint: Palanka - Mayaki - Udobne (Odesa region).

Distance: 180 km.

Travel time: 3 hours and 10 minutes.

● From Dnipro:

Nearest checkpoint: Mohyliv-Podilskyi - Otach (Vinnytsia region).

Distance: 637 km.

Travelling time: 8 hours and 24 minutes.

● From Chernivtsi:

The nearest checkpoint: Mamalyha - Kryva.

Distance: 59 km.

Travelling time: 1 hour 6 minutes.

The checkpoints on the border with Moldova are almost not busy, so you will avoid long waits and queues. You can check the waiting time at the border crossing points with Moldova to enter Ukraine here. 

Road toll: how much does a vignette cost in Moldova?

Although there are no toll roads in the traditional sense in Moldova, foreign drivers are subject to a mandatory system of payment for road use. To do this, you need to purchase a road vignette, which is actually an electronic analogue of a road toll.

The country's legislation sets the following prices for vignettes:

● 7 days - EUR 4;

● 15 days - EUR 8;

● 30 days - EUR 16;

● 90 days - EUR 45;

● 180 days - EUR 85;

● More than 180 days - 180 euros.

You can buy a vignette online on the website of the Ministry of Transport of Moldova or at any checkpoint on the border with Moldova.

Important! Keep your vignette payment receipt for the entire period of its validity. This will be your proof of payment of the road toll in case of inspection.

Petrol prices in Moldova

Fuel prices are currently on the rise in Moldova. As of 1 July 2024, the following maximum fuel prices have been set in the country:

● A-95 petrol - 25 Moldovan lei (UAH 56.80);

● diesel fuel - 21.77 MDL (49.46 UAH).

Traffic rules in Moldova: main features

● Dipped headlights must be switched on at all times from 1 November to 31 March, as well as in bad weather conditions, at night and in tunnels.

● A first aid kit, fire extinguisher, emergency stop sign and reflective vests must be in the car.

● The driver and all passengers must wear seat belts (for children under 150 cm in height, a child seat is required).

● The light transmission of the windscreen and front side windows must be at least 70% (the rear side windows are not subject to this restriction).

● The maximum permissible blood alcohol content is 0.3 ‰.

● It is forbidden to transport children under the age of 12 in the front seat of a car, minibus or bus.

● Pedestrians in Moldova have the right of way, meaning that drivers are obliged to let all pedestrians pass.

● Using a phone while driving is only possible with a special headset (headphones, etc.).

● Headlights, number plates and vehicle windows must be clean.

● The speed limit for cars within settlements is 50 km/h, outside settlements - 90 km/h, and on the highway - 110 km/h.

Fines in Moldova for traffic offences

Drivers in Moldova can be fined from 20 euros to several thousand euros for violating traffic rules. In certain situations, a driver may not only pay a fine, but also lose the right to drive a vehicle.

For example, exceeding the permissible blood alcohol level is punishable by a fine of EUR 800 to EUR 2,000 and a 2 to 5 year driving ban. Refusal or evasion of a breathalyser test is also an offence and is punishable by a fine of EUR 2,000 to 2,300 (or compulsory unpaid work for the benefit of the company for a period of 200 to 240 hours) and deprivation of the right to drive for a period of 3 to 5 years. Speeding is subject to fines of EUR 20 to EUR 100, depending on where the violation was committed and how fast the driver was travelling. 

Remember. Travelling abroad by car requires prior preparation, as this is one of the key aspects that helps to avoid unforeseen problems and expenses. For useful tips on how to prepare your car for a trip abroad and all the necessary documents, please follow the link. 

Photo: Freepik

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