When planning a road trip to or through Romania, it is important to familiarize yourself with the peculiarities of traffic rules in the country to avoid road accidents and fines. Here are the main traffic rules in Romania and the fines for violating them

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If you are planning a road trip to Romania or building a transit route through this country, it is important to familiarize yourself with the traffic rules in advance. After all, traffic violations can not only lead to fines, but also threaten the safety of road users. The information below will help you avoid unpleasant surprises on the road and financial losses.

The main features of the Romanian traffic code

1. All passengers and the driver must wear seat belts (for children, child seats or special fixation systems are mandatory).

2. The car must have a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, an emergency stop sign and a reflective vest.

3. In the period from November 1 to March 31, the vehicle must be equipped with winter tires. Studded tires are prohibited, and chains can only be used in the mountains.

4. Talking on the phone while driving is strictly prohibited.

5. The maximum blood alcohol level is 0.0 ppm.

6. Dipped headlights must be on 24 hours a day throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions.

7. Tinting of the windshield and front side windows is prohibited, while tinting of the rear and rear side windows is not regulated by law.

8. Transportation of children under 12 years of age in the front seat of a car is strictly prohibited.

Violation of these rules is punishable by fines, but in some cases drivers risk additional penalty points, losing their driver's license for up to 90 days, and being imprisoned for a term of 1 to 5 years. For example, not wearing seat belts and talking on the phone while driving a car are punishable by a fine of 290 lei (~60 euros). Driving while intoxicated is punishable much more seriously:

– if the blood alcohol level is less than 0.8‰, the fine is from 603 to 1340 lei (130 - 270 euros) + deprivation of the driver's license for up to 90 days;

– if the blood alcohol level exceeds 0.8‰, the driver will be imprisoned for 1 to 5 years.

It should also be borne in mind that fines in Romania have a point system: where a fine of 1 point is calculated as 10% of the minimum economic wage in the country.

Speed limits and fines for violations

The following rules apply in Romania:

– in populated areas - the maximum speed limit is 50 km/h;

– outside settlements - 90 km/h;

– on national and European roads - 100 km/h;

– on highways - 130 km/h.

On some sections of roads within cities, higher speed limits may be set for vehicles of categories A and B, but not more than 80 km/h. At the same time, there are fines for exceeding the speed limit. Approximate amounts of fines:

– exceeding the speed limit by 10-20 km/h - from 290 to 435 lei + two penalty points;

– exceeding the speed limit by 21-30 km/h - from 580 to 725 lei + three penalty points;

– exceeding the speed limit by 31-40 km/h - from 870 to 1160 lei + four penalty points;

– exceeding 41-50 km/h - from 1305 to 2900 lei + six penalty points;

– exceeding 50 km/h - from 9 to 20 penalty points (in terms of money) + deprivation of rights for 90 days.

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Toll roads in Romania

There are two types of toll roads in Romania:

1. General toll roads: to pay, you need to buy a road vignette (sold in large shopping centers, at Rompetrol, Petrom and OMV gas stations, as well as on the official website online). The cost depends on the validity period of the vignette and the type of vehicle (this document is not required for motorcycles).

 Please note: the fine for not having a vignette can reach up to 940 euros!

2. Areas that are paid additionally: payment is made on the spot. An additional fee is charged for travel:

– some bridges: Giurgiu (RO) - Ruse (BG), Calafat (RO) - Vidin (BG), Festesti - Chernavoda, Giurgeni - Vadul Oii;

– via ferries: Bechet (RO) - Oreahovo (BG), Calarasi (RO) - Silistra (BG), Turnu Magurele (RO) - Nikopol (BG), Zimnicea (RO) - Svishtov (BG).

Required documents and insurance for driving a car to Romania

To enter the country you must have:

– foreign passport;

– driver's license

– vehicle registration documents;

– international insurance policy "Green Card".

If any of these documents are missing, the person will not be allowed to cross the border. At the same time, in the absence of mandatory international insurance, the driver may be fined. 

You can apply for a Green Card for a car for traveling abroad on the Visit Ukraine website at this link.

We have described in detail how to prepare a car for a trip abroad in this article.