Cross-border route

Romania Moldova

Driving across the border

Yes — you can drive from Romania into Moldova: carry a certified IDP translation of your licence alongside the original so border officials and rental desks can read your credentials. Moldova expects foreign drivers to hold an IDP, prepared in the 1968 Vienna Convention format. Both countries drive on the right, so there is no change of driving side at the border. Plan your border crossing in advance and keep your passport, national licence and IDP together.

Get my permit for Moldova Moldova requirements

Last reviewed July 2026

Route at a glance

FromRomania

ToMoldova

IDP in MoldovaStrongly recommended

Accepted format1968 Vienna

Driving sideright (no change)

Currency in MoldovaMDL

Emergency number112

Top speed limit90 km/h open roads

Romania → Moldova

Crossing the border

Romania and Moldova share a land border you can cross by car. Keep your passport, national driving licence and International Driving Permit together, and check opening hours and any toll or vignette requirements before you travel.

Driving rules in Moldova

Drive on the right.
Headlights on outside towns.
Zero-tolerance alcohol policy.
Carry passport, IDP and home licence.

Once you're driving in Moldova

Destination-specific detail sourced from national road authorities, motoring clubs and rental policies — the things that catch cross-border drivers out.

Driving on a foreign licence

A national licence with an International Driving Permit is the safe combination; an IDP is strongly recommended and effectively required if your licence is not in the Latin alphabet. Carry licence, IDP, registration and insurance at all times.

Tolls & road charges

There are no electronic toll motorways. Foreign-registered vehicles pay a road-use vignette on entry (about EUR 4 for up to 7 days), bought at the border and displayed on the windscreen.

Parking in the cities

In Chisinau use marked paid zones and central car parks; metered/app or attendant payment is common and unofficial 'parking helpers' may approach. Avoid blocking courtyards and tram lanes, where towing occurs.

Fines & camera enforcement

Speeding fines commonly run from roughly EUR 30 up to EUR 60+ for serious excess, with phone and seatbelt offences also penalised; police may issue on-the-spot fines payable to the state, never directly in cash to the officer. Rentals pass camera/police fines back to the renter.

If you have an accident

Call 112 for police and ambulance. Do not move vehicles before police document the scene; an official police report (proces-verbal) is mandatory for any insurance or rental claim.

Driving in the capital

Chisinau has heavy rush-hour congestion, aggressive lane changing and many unmarked or worn road markings. Watch for trolleybuses and give way at the city's large unsignalled intersections.

Sources: rac.co.uk · tollguru.com · tyremap.com · internationaldriversassociation.com

Common questions

Do I need an International Driving Permit to drive from Romania to Moldova?

Yes — Moldova commonly asks foreign drivers to carry an IDP with their national licence. Moldova recognises the 1968 Vienna Convention format, which is the format your certified IDP translation is prepared in.

Does the driving side change between Romania and Moldova?

No. Both Romania and Moldova drive on the right.

What is the emergency number and speed limit in Moldova?

In Moldova, dial 112 for emergencies; 112 also works from most GSM phones. The maximum for cars on the fastest road class is 90 km/h open roads, but posted limits in towns and on secondary roads are lower and always take precedence.

How do tolls and road charges work in Moldova?

There are no electronic toll motorways. Foreign-registered vehicles pay a road-use vignette on entry (about EUR 4 for up to 7 days), bought at the border and displayed on the windscreen.

How quickly can I get an IDP for this trip?

International Driver Licence issues your digital IDP in as fast as 8 minutes, so you can have it ready before you set off.

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