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Traffic rules in Romania

In Germany, we have become accustomed to and adapted to the traffic rules. However, the traffic rules are not the same in every country and there are often traffic rules that do not exist at all in Germany. For example, the speed limits are different and the condition of the roads is also different. The traffic lights do not have a yellow phase and where can you refuel? So that you can 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 things

  • If your vehicle is already damaged when you enter Romania, you must report this and have it documented when you cross the border. Vehicles with visible damage after the journey may only leave the country with a police damage certificate.
  • Rental cars: Although you are allowed to drive a car in Romania at the age of 18, you must be at least 21 years old to rent a car there. In addition, you must have held your driver's license for at least one year and expect to pay an additional young driver fee for those under 25 years of age.
  • In mountainous areas, there may also be stretches of road where snow chains are mandatory
    • .
  • After paying a fine, you should get a receipt so that there are no misunderstandings and you have proof of your payment.

What do you need for the journey?

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

The German license plate is often sufficient as proof of valid motor vehicle liability insurance, but in Romania you also need the IVK (International Insurance Card). This shows that your car has third-party liability insurance and you can apply for the card free of charge from your car insurance company. This also includes checking with your car insurer for sufficient insurance cover before you start your journey.

Among the things you also need to take with you are:

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

Everyone driving a vehicle through Romania must adhere to the local traffic regulations and the speed limit. Although the locals like to overlook road signs and sometimes drive recklessly, they are not automatically allowed to do the same. You should drive defensively and carefully, as even trucks and buses do not necessarily make an exception when it comes to following the rules and will abruptly avoid a pothole or start to overtake.

As the road network in Romania is constantly being expanded and renewed, tolls are an important source of income. You can pay the tolls with a digital vignette, as Romania does not have regular toll stations but a digital toll system. The Romanian vignette (Rovinieta) is time-limited and applies to all motor vehicles except motorcycles (which are excluded from the vignette requirement). Thanks to this system, you do not have to stop at toll stations and it makes it easier for you to drive through. To avoid stress, you can purchase the digital vignette for Romania here with us before you start your journey. The fees depend on the vehicle category and the duration of use of the roads.

Here you will find all vignette variants available in Romania:

  • Category A: Cars & motorhomes
  • Category B: small vans
  • Category C: Vehicles < 3.5t - 7.5t GVW
  • Category D: Vehicles (2 axles) > 7.5t-12t GVW
  • Category E: Vehicles from 12t GVW (2-3 axles)
  • Category F: Vehicles from 12t GVW (from 4 axles)
  • Category G: Passenger cars with 9-23 seats (incl. driver)
  • Category H: Passenger cars with > 23 seats (incl. driver)

If you would like to purchase the vignette from us, you can do this stress-free before the trip.

However, if you want to buy the vignette locally or at a border crossing, this is of course also possible. Cameras and sensors automatically check whether you have a valid digital or adhesive vignette. The vignette requirement applies to all roads in the country, with the exception of sections of national roads that lie within the municipal boundaries between the entry and exit signs. An additional toll must be paid for the Danube crossing towards Bulgaria.

Route sections subject to tolls:

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

You can purchase the toll there.

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 undeveloped and off-road-like roads where special care is required.

Speed limits and rules

Speed checks may be carried out at random, especially in the summer months. However, you should adhere to the speed limit and traffic regulations not only for this reason, but also for safety reasons. If you break the rules, you could be fined or even have your driving license revoked and be banned from driving.

Speed limits apply nationwide unless road signs indicate an exception. For novice drivers who have only had their license for less than a year, the speed limits are 20 km/h lower outside built-up areas, on dual carriageways and on freeways.

Maximum speeds for novice drivers (license < 1 year)

  • Motorways: 110 km/h
  • Expressways: 80 km/h
  • Outside built-up areas: 70 km/h
  • In urban areas: 50 km/h

Maximum speeds

  • Highways: 130 km/h
  • Expressways: 100 km/h
  • Outside built-up areas: 90 km/h
  • In urban areas: 50 km/h

Fines

Fines can be imposed directly by the local police. As the behavior and regulations of the Romanian police may differ from the German police, you should remember to get a receipt from the police. Then you will have proof of your payment in case of misunderstandings or sudden changes.

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

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

Fines for speeding:

  • 20 km/h too fast: from 60 euros
  • 50 km/h too fast: from 265 euros

Fines for other violations

  • No safety 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 at the wheel: from 115 euros
  • Red light violation: from 175 euros
  • Wrong parking: up to 175 euros
  • Drunk driving: from 265 euros

On the one hand, the fine for drink-driving is so high for safety reasons, because in Romania the drink-drive limit is 0.0% and you not only endanger your own safety, but also the safety of other drivers.

What happens if you violate the Romanian road traffic regulations?

If you violate the Romanian Highway Code, the local police can confiscate your driver's license and ban you from driving in Romania. You will then receive a certificate that allows you to drive in Romania for 15 days from the date of issue before the ban comes into force. You can appeal against the police's decision within these 15 days and apply for the (provisional) return of your driving license. In the case of a short stay in Romania, you can apply 24 hours after your driving license has been confiscated to have your driving license returned to you the day before you leave Romania for another country. You must present the following documents to the relevant traffic police station:

  • a declaration to be submitted to a notary in which you specify the date of your departure
  • a copy of your flight, train or bus ticket if you are not leaving by car
  • a copy of the “Dovada” (see above: certificate that allows you to drive in Romania for 15 days without a driver's license)
  • a copy of the police report (“proces verbal”)
  • a copy of the proof of payment of the fine imposed
  • a copy of your identity card/passport
    • .

If you do not submit an application, the driver's license will be sent to the German Embassy after approx. 15 days. The driver's license will be sent to the German Embassy by the local traffic police, via the county police and the road traffic directorate of the police in Bucharest. The embassy then forwards your driver's license to the responsible German authority via the Federal Motor Transport Authority in Flensburg. As the driving license is not sent directly to the Federal Motor Transport Authority, but via several stations, this can take several weeks.

General basic traffic rules

Duty to use light

In Romania, there is a general obligation to use headlights on freeways and outside built-up areas during the day all year round. In Germany, however, there is no general obligation to use lights during the day. This only applies to cars. Motorcycles must also have their lights on in built-up areas and must also drive with dipped headlights or daytime running lights switched on during the day. This applies in 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

Overtaking is strictly prohibited on bridges.

Traffic lights

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

Roundabout

There are more traffic circles in Romania than in Germany. In addition, they often consist of several lanes. To avoid finding yourself in the wrong lane or blocking the way of others, it is important to know the rules for traffic circles. First of all, you must turn left for as long as you intend to stay on the traffic circle. If you want to take your exit soon, turn right in good time. There are also rules for getting into the right lane. For example, if the traffic circle has three lanes and three exits and you want to take the first exit, get into the right-hand 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 first. This allows several cars to drive through the multi-lane traffic circle at once without chaos, as anyone taking a different exit will already be in the correct lane beforehand.

Fuelling and charging

Filling up is exactly the same as in Germany. Prices are around the European average. Usually even a little lower.

The possibility of charging electric cars is somewhat more limited, as there are fewer filling stations with an e-charging function. For the most part, however, they are fine. There are a few charging stations in the cities. You can't rely on them in the countryside.

Tires

In snow or ice and in winter road conditions in general, winter tires (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 prohibited, just like in Germany.

Conclusion

Driving in Romania is not much more dangerous or difficult than in Germany. Make sure you drive more defensively and carefully than in Germany and follow the traffic rules described in this guide. With a little preparation and adherence to the rules, you shouldn't have any problems.