Driving in Romania:
Traffic rules
From speed limits to the documents you need: essential information for travelling by rental car.
This guide is for drivers of category B cars. Check the rules before you set off and keep the supplier’s contact details from your rental agreement handy.
Speed limits in Romania
The general speed limits below apply to category B cars without a trailer. Always follow the signs on the road you are using and adjust your speed to visibility, weather and traffic conditions.
| Road type | Limit |
|---|---|
| In built-up areas | 50 km/h |
| Other roads outside built-up areas | 90 km/h |
| European national roads (E-roads) outside built-up areas | 100 km/h |
| Expressways outside built-up areas | 120 km/h |
| Motorways | 130 km/h |
Do you have less than one year’s driving experience? Outside built-up areas, the maximum speed for category B is reduced by 20 km/h: 110 on motorways, 100 on expressways, 80 on E-roads and 70 on other roads. Local restrictions still apply. This reduction does not automatically mean a 30 km/h limit in built-up areas.
An E-road may pass through a built-up area: the 100 km/h limit does not automatically continue within it. For car rental, the supplier may require you to have held your licence for a minimum period, independently of road traffic rules.
Sources: 1.
Essential driving rules, simply explained
Alcohol and psychoactive substances
Do not drink alcohol if you are going to drive. Driving under the influence of alcohol can lead to administrative or criminal penalties, depending on the circumstances; not every detected alcohol level automatically constitutes a criminal offence.
Do not drive under the influence of psychoactive substances. If you are taking medication, check the warnings in the patient information leaflet and ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice about driving.
Lights on all public roads
During the day, use dipped headlights or daytime running lights (DRLs), including in towns and cities. At night, in tunnels and in reduced visibility, use the appropriate lights; DRLs do not replace dipped headlights in these situations.
Check the light settings when you collect the car. Do not assume that automatic mode activates them correctly in all conditions.
Seat belts and mobile phones
Seat belts are compulsory for drivers and passengers in seats fitted with them, including rear seats, subject to the exceptions provided by law.
Only use your phone as permitted with hands-free systems. To send messages, set your route or do anything else that distracts you, stop somewhere safe where stopping is allowed.
Lanes, overtaking and following distance
In Romania, traffic drives on the right. Signal and check that it is safe before changing lanes or direction.
A broken line does not, on its own, mean you may overtake. Road signs, visibility and the location of the manoeuvre also matter. Keep a safe following distance, avoid aggressive manoeuvres and do not use the emergency lane to pass a queue of traffic.
Roundabouts and junctions
At a signposted roundabout, give way to vehicles already on it. Follow the lanes and road markings, signal before exiting and check that it is safe to do so.
Being in the inner lane does not give you the right to cut across a vehicle in the outer lane.
Pedestrians, trams and railway crossings
Give way to pedestrians crossing legally who are on your side of the road. When a tram stops at a stop without a passenger refuge, stop behind it and wait for the doors to close, making sure passengers have crossed safely.
At railway crossings, obey the signals and signs. Do not cross while barriers are moving or stop signals are operating.
Children, compulsory equipment and tyres
Travelling with a child
In a car fitted with seat belts, children up to and including 135 cm tall must travel in an approved child restraint appropriate to their size.
Children taller than 135 cm must use an adult seat belt adjusted so that it does not cross their neck or face, or an appropriate child restraint.
Plan to fit the restraint in the rear seats, following both the restraint manufacturer’s and the vehicle’s instructions. Special legal conditions apply to fitting a restraint in the front, including requirements relating to the airbag. Request the right child seat when booking.
What to check in the car
Compulsory equipment for a car includes a first aid kit, two warning triangles and a fire extinguisher, all of an approved type.
Check that these items are present, in good condition and within their expiry dates where applicable. Ask the supplier where they are stored.
Keeping a high-visibility vest within reach is a useful safety precaution if you need to get out of the car in an area with traffic.
Winter tyre requirements depend on road conditions, not the calendar. Winter tyres are compulsory when the road is covered with snow, ice or black ice. Before travelling in cold weather, particularly in the mountains, confirm how the car is equipped and check the forecast and any traffic restrictions.
Foreign driving licences and travel documents
Is your driving licence recognised?
A valid driving licence issued by a European Union member state is recognised in Romania for the corresponding vehicle categories, subject to the law.
For licences issued by other countries, check the rules that apply to the issuing country. An International Driving Permit is not automatically required for every driver from outside the EU. Where required, it must be presented together with your valid national driving licence.
Check the supplier’s car rental requirements separately, before payment and confirmation.
What to keep handy
- Your driving licence and a valid identity card or passport.
- The vehicle documents and insurance information provided by the supplier.
- Your rental agreement and booking confirmation.
- The assistance contact number and the procedure for accidents or breakdowns.
At pick-up, present the original documents required by the supplier. If you plan to drive outside Romania, request approval and the necessary documents in advance.
Sources: 1.
Road vignette, tolls and parking
The road vignette and road charges
Before using roads subject to charges, check with the supplier that the car has a valid road vignette (rovinietă) covering your travel dates and which costs are included in the offer.
Some crossings or bridges may have separate tolls. Do not assume that the vignette covers every charge along your route. For checks and payments, use the official channels indicated by CNAIR.
Parking in towns and cities
Read the signs and payment instructions in the area where you stop. Operating hours, charges and accepted payment methods vary by town or city and operator.
Check the registration number you enter and the payment confirmation. If an SMS service does not work with your foreign phone number, use another locally indicated payment method. Paying for parking does not override a no-stopping or no-parking restriction.
What to do in the event of an accident
Emergencies: 112Is anyone injured, or do you suspect an injury?
- Call 112 immediately, give your location and follow the operator’s instructions.
- Do not leave the scene, disturb evidence or move the vehicles without police permission. Follow the emergency services’ instructions.
- After calling the emergency services, inform the car supplier using the number in your rental agreement.
An agreed accident statement must not be used for accidents involving injuries.
Is there only property damage?
- Move the vehicles off the carriageway if possible. If this is not possible, move them as close as possible to the kerb or verge and make their presence clearly visible.
- An agreed accident statement may be used when two insured vehicles are involved, there is only property damage and both drivers agree to complete and sign the form.
- Unless a legal exemption applies, report to the police responsible for the area within 24 hours. If more vehicles are involved, third-party property is damaged or there is no agreement on completing the form, do not assume that an agreed accident statement is sufficient.
- Inform the supplier and keep the documents, the other vehicle’s details and any photographs taken safely.
For a rental car: also follow the procedure in your rental agreement. Do not start repairs or arrange towing without the supplier’s approval, except for urgent safety measures ordered by the authorities. Do not assume that having CASCO comprehensive insurance automatically replaces your obligations towards the police.
After an accident, do not consume alcohol or psychoactive substances before testing or sample collection. For a straightforward breakdown, contact the assistance service listed in your rental agreement; use 112 when there is a genuine emergency.
Frequently asked questions about driving in Romania
Is an International Driving Permit compulsory for every visitor from outside the EU?
Not automatically. Whether your licence is recognised depends on the issuing country and the applicable rules. Before travelling, check the requirements of the Romanian authorities and the car rental supplier. If required, an International Driving Permit must be presented together with your valid national driving licence; it does not replace it.
Do I need to use my lights during the day in towns and cities too?
Yes. During the day, cars must use dipped headlights or daytime running lights (DRLs) on all public roads. At night or in reduced visibility, use the lights required for those conditions; do not rely on DRLs alone.
Can I drive at 100 km/h on any national road?
No. For category B, the general 100 km/h limit applies to European national roads (E-roads) outside built-up areas. On other ordinary roads outside built-up areas, the general limit is 90 km/h. Road signs, restrictions and traffic conditions may require a lower speed.
Are winter tyres compulsory from 1 November?
The requirement does not start on a fixed date. Winter tyres are required when the road is covered with snow, ice or black ice, regardless of the month. If you are renting for a trip to the mountains or during cold weather, confirm how the car is equipped before pick-up.
Can I use an agreed accident statement for any minor accident?
No. An agreed accident statement is intended for accidents involving only property damage, where two insured vehicles are involved and both drivers agree to complete and sign the form. If anyone is injured, call 112. In other situations, follow the legal procedure and inform the car supplier.
If I am legally allowed to drive in Romania, can I rent any car?
Not necessarily. Rental terms may include separate requirements relating to age, how long you have held your licence, documents or the card used for the security deposit. Check the offer before confirming. You can find more information in our car rental frequently asked questions.
Plan your trip before you set off
Choose your rental dates and pick-up location, then check the documents, equipment and rental terms. The Promotor team can help clarify your booking questions.
Sources and updates
Guide prepared by the Promotor Rent a Car team, based on official sources consulted on 26 October 2026. External links open in a new tab.
- Romanian Road Traffic Code — Government Emergency Ordinance No. 195/2002. Articles 8, 35–36, 41–50, 54–57, 74, 77–79, 83 and 102: equipment, driving conduct, speed, accidents and foreign driving licences.
- Implementing Regulations — Government Decision No. 1391/2006. Articles 97, 107, 114, 118–120 and 135–138: children, roundabouts, lights, overtaking and right of way.
- Ministry of Internal Affairs — Children in cars. Guidance on height, seat belts and child restraints.
- Ministry of Internal Affairs — Driving in winter conditions. Winter tyres on snow, ice or black ice, and adjusting your speed.
- ASF — Consumer guide to RCA motor liability insurance (PDF). Conditions for using an agreed accident statement and steps to take after an accident.
- CNAIR — Official information on road charges. Checking the road vignette, crossing tolls and official payment channels.
This is general information for category B cars and does not cover every legal exception. Check road signs and the rules applicable to your specific situation. For legal interpretation of a particular case, seek guidance from the relevant authority or a qualified professional. Rental terms are those confirmed by the supplier and set out in the rental agreement.