South Africa licence Romania
South Africa licence 
RomaniaDriving in Romania with a South Africa license
Short answer: to drive in Romania with a South Africa license you need an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna format, carried together with your South Africa license.
Bring an IDP
Yes — to drive in Romania on an South Africa licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your South Africa licence. Romania expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP.
Convention basisRomania uses the format of the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.
At the rental deskBucharest desks request an IDP for non-EU licences; rovinietă usually included.
CarryCarry BOTH your South Africa national licence and the IDP at all times. The IDP is a translation of your licence and never replaces it.
Minimum age18+ to drive; rental typically 21+ with a young-driver surcharge under 25
Validity1–3 years (you choose at checkout)
FormatDigital PDF you print yourself, plus a QR-verifiable ID card — accepted alongside printed permits
Last verified June 2026Source: Geneva 1949 / Vienna 1968
South African drivers should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their licence when driving abroad. Your International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing licence, prepared in the 1949 Geneva & 1968 Vienna format and carried alongside your national licence.
Driving rules in Romania
- Road vignette (rovinietă) required.
- Headlights on outside built-up areas.
- Zero-tolerance alcohol policy (0.0%).
- Reflective vest and triangle mandatory.
Common questions
01
Can I drive in Romania with a South Africa license?
to drive in Romania with a South Africa license you need an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna format, carried together with your South Africa license. Romania uses the format of the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.
02
Is my South Africa driver's license valid in Romania?
Yes — to drive in Romania on an South Africa licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your South Africa licence. Romania expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP.
03
Do I need an International Driving Permit for Romania?
Yes — to drive in Romania on an South Africa licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your South Africa licence. Romania expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP.
04
Can I rent a car in Romania with a South Africa license?
Bucharest desks request an IDP for non-EU licences; rovinietă usually included.
05
What IDP format does Romania accept?
Romania uses the format of the 1949 Geneva and 1968 Vienna Conventions. Our certified translation is prepared in that exact format.
06
How do I get an International Driving Permit for Romania?
An International Driving Permit is a certified multilingual translation of your existing South Africa license. You apply online, and it is issued as a printable PDF booklet with a QR-verifiable ID card in the 1949 Geneva / 1968 Vienna format Romania uses — carried alongside your South Africa license.
07
Do I still carry my South Africa license?
Carry BOTH your South Africa national licence and the IDP at all times. The IDP is a translation of your licence and never replaces it.
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