US licence 
RomaniaCan you drive in Romania with a US license?
Short answer: to drive in Romania with a US license you need an International Driving Permit in the 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna format, carried together with your US license.
Yes — to drive in Romania on a US licence you should carry an International Driving Permit together with your US licence. Romania expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP.
U.S. drivers should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their state licence when driving or renting a car 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.
What driving in Romania is like
The Transfăgărășan (DN7C) over the Făgăraș Mountains is the country's iconic seasonal mountain drive. For most visitors the real draw is the freedom to reach places trains and tours don't, on your own schedule, with the open road generally capped around 130 km/h motorways. Getting behind the wheel is the easy part: your International Driving Permit is a certified translation of your US licence, carried alongside it, so rental staff and officials in Romania can read your credentials at a glance.
What applies to US licence holders in Romania
| US licence in Romania | |
|---|---|
| Do you need an IDP? | Yes — carry one alongside your licence |
| IDP format required | 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna |
| Your US licence script | Roman (Latin) alphabet |
| United States is party to | 1949 Geneva |
| Drives on the | Right-hand side |
| Minimum driving age | 18 |
| Emergency number | 112 |
| Top speed limit | 130 km/h motorways |
| Currency | RON |
Driving rules in Romania you should know
- Road vignette (rovinietă) required.
- Headlights on outside built-up areas.
- Zero-tolerance alcohol policy (0.0%).
- Reflective vest and triangle mandatory.
Local driving facts in Romania
Emergency number: 112 (112 also connects from most mobiles). Typical maximum for cars on the fastest road class: 130 km/h motorways. Posted limits always take precedence.
Tolls & road charges in Romania
Romania uses the electronic Rovinieta vignette (no physical sticker) required on national roads for all vehicles except motorcycles; buy online at e-rovinieta.ro or at fuel stations for 7-day, 30-day, 90-day or annual terms. Driving without it risks a fine of at least about 50 EUR. The Fetești-Cernavodă bridge has a separate toll.
Parking in Romania
Bucharest uses pay-and-display zones with varying tariffs and app payment; park on the right in the direction of traffic. Illegal parking is fined and cars are towed, especially in the centre.
Penalties & enforcement in Romania
Fines scale by penalty-point bands: speeding 50+ km/h over the limit can cost around 265+ EUR with 9-20 points and a 90-day licence suspension; phone use and no seatbelt are ticketed. Rental firms forward camera fines to the renter.
If you have an accident in Romania
Call 112 for any injury, unsettleable damage or blocked traffic; police notification is mandatory for accidents with death or injury. Photograph the scene, exchange insurance/registration details, and use the amicable European report only for minor agreed damage.
City driving in Romania
Bucharest traffic is notoriously congested, especially on the central ring and Piața Unirii; the A1 motorway is complete only Bucharest-Pitești, so expect crowded national roads beyond it.
Winter driving in Romania
Winter tyres are compulsory on snow- or ice-covered roads in the cold season (commonly 1 November-1 March / 31 March), applying to foreign-registered vehicles too; carry chains for mountain passes.
Fuel in Romania
Petrol (benzină 95/98), diesel (motorină) and LPG are widely available at mostly self-service stations with broad card acceptance; prices are mid-range for the EU.
Sources: theromanianlawyers.com, europa.eu, romaniatourism.com, expatcenter.ro