Travel alerts & warnings
Romania driving guide.
Driving in Romania gives you access to Carpathian scenery, fortified towns and rural villages beyond the main rail routes. Motorways are generally straightforward, but village traffic, uneven rural roads and winding mountain passes can make journeys slower than distances suggest.
- Advisory
- Normal precautions
- Drives on
- Right
- Best season
- June to September…
- Permit honored
- Yes
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Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Romania has moderate seismic activity and a history of strong earthquakes. Bucharest faces the highest risk.
- Exercise normal precautionin Romania.
- Exercise normal precautions in Romania.
Driving there
Your permit in Romania
- Romania 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.
- 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 Romania
Road rules
Use dipped headlights or daytime running lights on all public roads, including during daylight. Seat belts are compulsory, handheld phone use is prohibited, and Romania has zero tolerance for drink-driving. Winter tyres are required when roads are covered with snow, ice or slush.
Tolls and the rovinieta
Most national roads, expressways and motorways require an electronic rovinieta linked to your registration number. Buy through an official or authorised channel before using covered roads, and check the registration details carefully. Some Danube bridges have separate charges; confirm what your rental already includes.
Fuel
Petrol is labelled 'benzină' and diesel 'motorină'; check the pump and rental fuel label before filling. Major stations generally accept cards, but carry some Romanian lei for smaller stops. Fill up before remote Carpathian routes, where stations can be widely spaced.
Speed limits
For passenger cars, standard limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h on other roads outside them, 100 km/h on European national roads marked E, 120 km/h on expressways and 130 km/h on motorways. Posted restrictions override these limits; drivers with less than one year's experience have lower limits outside built-up areas.
Rentals and police checks
Carry your original driving licence alongside your International Driving Permit, plus your passport, rental agreement, vehicle registration and insurance documents. An IDP does not replace your licence. Check rental age and licence-holding requirements, obtain permission before crossing borders, and confirm the car has required safety equipment, including warning triangles, a first-aid kit and a fire extinguisher.
Worth the drive
Places to see in Romania
Bran Castle
Brașov County, Transylvania · About 40–60 minutes from Brașov; longer on busy weekends.
A dramatic hilltop castle with mountain views and nearby villages worth exploring.
Peleș Castle
Sinaia, Prahova County · About 1–1.5 hours from Brașov; congestion on DN1 can add substantial time.
An ornate former royal residence surrounded by forested Carpathian slopes.
Transfăgărășan and Bâlea Lake
Făgăraș Mountains, Sibiu–Argeș · About 1.5–2 hours from Sibiu to Bâlea Lake when the road is open, excluding stops.
Spectacular hairpins and alpine scenery; the high section closes seasonally, so check road status before departure.
Sighișoara Citadel
Mureș County, Transylvania · About 1–1.25 hours from Târgu Mureș.
A colourful medieval citadel with cobbled lanes and a landmark clock tower; park outside the historic core.
Voroneț Monastery
Bucovina, Suceava County · About 45–60 minutes from Suceava.
Renowned blue exterior frescoes make this painted monastery a memorable stop on a Bucovina driving circuit.
Salina Turda
Turda, Cluj County · About 40–60 minutes from Cluj-Napoca.
Vast underground salt-mining chambers offer an unusual excursion, with Turda Gorge nearby for a longer day out.
Heading to Romania?
Apply online in about ten minutes. We print and mail your permit, and you can track it the whole way.