The regulation of traffic on public roads in Romania is based on the legislative framework formed by Government Decision no. 195/2002, republished, supplemented and subsequently amended, and the related implementing regulation, approved by Government Decision no. 1391/2006, with subsequent amendments. These regulations reflect the fundamental principles laid down by the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. They also bring national legislation into line with the requirements of the relevant European directives, thus ensuring harmonization with international road traffic standards.

Therefore, Government Decision no. 195/2002 establishes in Art. 83 para. (1) the right to drive on the Romanian territory to holders of valid driving licenses issued by the authorities of the states:

• signatories of the Convention on Road Traffic, provided for in Article 82 para. (2) of the same act;
• EU Member States;
• countries with which Romania has signed mutual recognition agreements.

Moreover, para. (2) of the same article stipulates that "(2) In order to drive a motor vehicle on Romanian territory, individuals who hold a national driving license issued by the authorities of a state that is not a member of the Convention on Road Traffic and is neither a member of the European Union with which Romania has not concluded a treaty on mutual recognition of driving licenses must also hold an international driving license."

As regards the need to hold an international driving license in order to drive on public roads in Romania, this requirement applies only to citizens of states that have acceded to or ratified the Convention from Wien on Road Traffic. According to the legal provisions, signatory states may require drivers entering their territory to present an international driving license.

Thus, individuals who hold national driving licenses issued by states which have not acceded to any of the above-mentioned conventions and are not subject to the legal effects of these international agreements are not entitled to drive on public roads in Romania. This restriction remains valid even if the national license is accompanied by an international driving license.

However, Romanian road legislation provides for an alternative way to obtain a national driving license, according to art. 23^1 of Government Decision 195/2002. This provision applies to persons from states whose foreign driving licenses are not mutually recognized in Romania.

According to para. (1) of the above-mentioned article, persons domiciled or residing in Romania, or who have been studying here for cel puțin 6 luni, may apply for a Romanian driving license, subject to examination by the competent authorities.

Para. (2) defines the requirements for establishing domicile or residence in Romania necessary for this procedure. These include:

• habitual residence of at least 185 days per year in Romania, motivated by personal and/or professional ties;
• regular return to Romania for personal reasons, even if the person lives alternatively in other EU Member States, EEA or Switzerland;
• habitual residence in Romania, with temporary stays in other EU Member States, EEA or Switzerland for fixed-term activities.

Thus, citizens of states that are not signatories to the Vienna (1968) or Geneva (1949) Conventions on road traffic, are not part of the European Union and do not have bilateral agreements with Romania for the mutual recognition of driving licenses, cannot use their national licenses on Romanian territory. This restriction applies even if national licenses are accompanied by international licenses. However, they have the option to apply for a Romanian driving license, following the procedures and conditions stipulated by the legislation in force.

For up-to-date lists of countries signatories to international road traffic agreements, please visit:

1. Geneva Convention (1949) - this treaty requires an international driving license in addition to the national one.

2. Vienna Convention (1968) under this treaty, a national driving license is sufficient without the need for an additional international license.