Are you planning to visit Romania and you want a self-drive tour? Driving in Romania can be an adventure! So we have prepared some tips and tricks to help you plan this experience. Also we have designed a 12 days itinerary in Romania.
This is a self-guided tour. That means that we can book the car rental and accommodation for you. We can also help you with local assistance on the way.
If you like this Romania itinerary, but you are not sure whether driving in Romania is a good idea for you, we can also offer you this tour as a private guided tour. This way, your only job will be to admire the landscapes. Your tour guide will take care of everything else.
Try also other itineraries in Romania.
Before showing you how you can spend 12 days in Romania, let’s answer some questions. These are questions that you may have before any self-drive trip in Romania.
Driving in Romania
Is it safe to drive through Romania?
Romania is unfortunately in the last places in the EU in terms of road accidents and the victims resulting from them. But if you follow the traffic rules, driving in Romania becomes a safe and even a pleasant experience.
Once you get behind the wheel, it is important to respect the speed limits. It is also mandatory to use a seat belt and a child seat for smaller passengers. Do not drive under the influence of alcohol and do not use your mobile phone while driving. The legislation has zero-tolerance for alcohol consumption when driving.
Also, pay attention to pedestrians, animals, cyclists and horse-drawn carriages. They could be traveling on the same road as motor vehicles, especially in rural areas.
Does Romania have good roads?
Romania has a total of almost 90,000 km of roads divided into national roads, county roads and communal roads. Highways (just under 1000 km in total) are part of national roads.
Therefore, a road trip in Romania can take longer than one in countries with several highways.
National roads and most county roads are in good condition, with a few exceptions. That is why it is important to plan your trip according to the road restrictions, the condition of the roads and the congested areas.
Some national roads become extremely crowded because they connect the important cities of Romania, but you can avoid congestion if you know when to pass by there.
Do you have to wear a seatbelt in Romania?
The seat belt must be worn in Romania by all passengers of a car.
Driving a car without wearing a seat belt is categorised as a class I fine and is punishable by a fine and penalty points. Passengers in a vehicle can also receive the same penalty if they do not wear a seat belt.
Exceptions to this rule are only pregnant women and people with a medical certificate that exempts them from wearing a seat belt.
What is the speed limit in Romania?
Speed limits are indicated in kilometres per hour. The other road signs including distance are indicated using meters or kilometres because Romania uses the metric system.
The speed limits in Romania are:
50 km/h – inside the cities or villages (unless the road signs mention something else)
130 km/h – on the motorway
100 km/h – on express, national and European roads
90 km/h – on the other categories of roads, outside the built-up areas
Which side of the road does Romania drive on?
Although there are states and regions where you drive on the left side of the road, accounting for about 35% of the world’s population, in Romania you drive on the right side, as in most areas.
Can foreigners drive in Romania?
If they are staying for a maximum of 90 days in the country, foreigners can drive in Romania with any international driving license. Not all national driver’s licenses are accepted.
For example, U.S. citizens who wish to drive in Romania must have an International Driving Permit in addition to a valid U.S. state drivers’ license.
How easy is it to travel around Romania?
For public transport, Romania has trains and buses. The main cities of the country are well connected, but sometimes the public transport schedule won’t allow you to see as many things as you could by driving.
Also, the rural areas are not so well connected, so it is harder to visit the attractions located outside the city without a car. But a good itinerary, excellent planning and a car rental can ensure you the best way to travel around Romania.
