If you come to Romania with a licence issued elsewhere, the practical question is whether you also need an international permit. The answer depends on the issuing state. A guide to when it is required, what to carry, and what driving without a valid licence means here.
At a glance
EU or EEA licence: recognised in Romania, no international permit needed
Non-EU licence: usually accompanied by an international driving permit or a legalised translation, depending on the issuing state
Main risk: driving without a valid licence is a criminal offence under article 335 of the Criminal Code
If you move here: once resident, a foreign licence must be exchanged within the statutory period
Do you need an international permit?
It depends on the state that issued your licence.
Licences issued by EU and EEA member states are recognised in Romania as they are. No additional document is required.
For licences issued outside the EU, the position has to be checked case by case. Many states are party to the international road traffic conventions, and the national licence is accepted together with an international driving permit. In other cases a legalised translation is required. Check before you travel, not at the first roadside stop.
What to carry
A valid driving licence, your identity document or passport and, where applicable, the international permit. For the vehicle, the registration certificate, proof of motor insurance valid in Romania and, if the car is not yours, the owner's consent.
What driving without a valid licence means
Driving without a valid licence in Romania is not a simple traffic fine. Under article 335 of the Criminal Code it is a criminal offence and can lead to prosecution.
In practice the immediate consequences include documents being retained, the vehicle being immobilised and a criminal file being opened, with effects that carry over into any later immigration procedure.
If you settle in Romania
The rules for visitors do not apply to residents. Once you establish your domicile or residence in Romania, a licence issued by another state must be exchanged for a Romanian one within the statutory period. Missing that deadline turns an administrative formality into a criminal law problem.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive in Romania with my EU licence?
Yes. Licences issued by EU and EEA states are recognised, with no additional documents, for as long as they remain valid.
I hold a non-EU licence. What do I need?
Usually your national licence together with an international driving permit obtained in the issuing state before you travel. Some states require a legalised translation instead, so check in advance.
Where do I get an international driving permit?
Only in the state that issued your national licence, normally from the road authority or the national automobile club. It cannot be obtained in Romania.
What happens if I am stopped without the right documents?
Your documents may be retained and the vehicle immobilised and, where the situation amounts to driving without a valid licence, a criminal file is opened under article 335.
How long can I drive on a foreign licence after moving to Romania?
Only until the statutory exchange deadline expires, counted from when you establish your domicile or residence. After that, the foreign licence no longer covers driving in Romania.
I already have a criminal file for driving without a licence. What can I do?
Each case is assessed on its own facts, starting from whether the licence was valid at the time and what documents were held. Legal assistance from the investigation stage directly affects the outcome.
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