Travel alerts & warnings
Moldova driving guide.
Driving in Moldova makes it easy to reach wineries, monasteries and rural villages beyond Chișinău. Main routes are generally manageable, but uneven surfaces, poorly lit roads and slow-moving farm traffic make daylight driving preferable.
- Advisory
- Increased caution
- Drives on
- Right
- Best season
- May to June or…
- Permit honored
- Yes
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Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution in Moldova due to risk of unexploded ordnance (UXO). Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire travel advisory.
- There are ongoing security threats related to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
- Petty crime such as purse snatching and pickpocketing is common, especially in popular tourist locations. Stay aware of your surroundings. Be wary of people posing as police officers demanding fines. Take safety precautions against ATM "skimming" devices and online scams.
- Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)
- Although Moldova declared itself "mine-safe" in March 2001, some areas have increased risk.
- Unexploded ordnance and landmines exist in central Moldova:
- These unexploded ordnances and landmines are primarily found in agricultural fields, forests, and along the banks of the Dniester (Nistru) River.
Driving there
Your permit in Moldova
- Moldova honors the International Driving Permit. The permit is a translation of your license into ten languages — it is not a license on its own.
- Carry your valid U.S. driver's license with the permit at all times. The permit is valid for one year and only while your U.S. license is valid.
- Not party to the 1949 convention; the International Driving Permit is honored.
- Rental companies and local police can be stricter than national law. Confirm the requirement with your rental company before you travel.
Advisory information is published by the U.S. Department of State and reproduced here for convenience. It can change at any time — always check the official advisory before you travel. USIDA does not issue travel advisories.
Before you drive
Top travel tips for Moldova
Road rules
Wear seat belts in every occupied seat, use appropriate child restraints and never use a handheld phone while driving. Avoid alcohol entirely before driving, and watch for pedestrians, horse-drawn carts and livestock on rural roads.
Speed limits
For ordinary passenger cars, the usual limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas and 90 km/h outside them, unless signs specify otherwise. Slow down for village entrances, damaged pavement and railway crossings; do not assume a wide road permits higher speeds.
Road-use vignette
Foreign-registered vehicles generally need Moldova’s time-based road-use vignette, available through the official e-vignette service or authorized sales points. Check that its validity covers your stay and retain confirmation. A locally registered rental normally does not need this foreign-vehicle vignette.
Fuel and payment
Petrol and diesel are readily available around Chișinău and along major routes, but stations are less frequent in rural areas. Check the pump label carefully, refill before remote excursions and carry some Moldovan lei in case card payment is unavailable.
Rentals and police checks
Carry your original driving licence alongside your International Driving Permit, passport, vehicle registration and valid insurance; keep the rental agreement available too. Confirm permission and insurance before crossing borders or entering Transnistria, and check current travel advice for that region. At police checks, request official documentation for any fine rather than making an informal payment.
Worth the drive
Places to see in Moldova
Orheiul Vechi
Orhei District · About 1 hour from Chișinău.
Explore a dramatic bend in the Răut River, a cliffside cave monastery and the traditional villages of Butuceni and Trebujeni.
Cricova Winery
Chișinău Municipality · About 25–40 minutes from central Chișinău.
Tour extensive underground wine galleries; book ahead and nominate a non-drinking driver if your visit includes tasting.
Mileștii Mici Winery
Ialoveni District · About 30–40 minutes from Chișinău.
Visit a vast underground wine collection housed in former limestone workings; reserve a tour and confirm transport arrangements within the cellars.
Soroca Fortress
Soroca District · About 1 hour 15 minutes–1 hour 30 minutes from Bălți.
See a distinctive circular medieval fortress beside the Dniester River and explore Soroca’s riverside setting.
Saharna Monastery
Rezina District · About 1 hour 45 minutes–2 hours from Bălți.
Combine a monastery visit with wooded gorge walks and a small waterfall; wear sturdy footwear for paths beyond the monastery.
Comrat
Gagauzia · About 1 hour 45 minutes–2 hours from Chișinău.
Discover Gagauz culture, regional food and local history in the autonomous region’s capital.
Heading to Moldova?
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