Driving in Romania as a United States National
Romania offers spectacular mountain driving including the famous Transfagarasan Highway, but visitors should expect horse carts on rural roads and rapidly improving infrastructure. An IDP is recommended for non-EU license holders.
Key Things to Know First
Romania generally accepts foreign licences for short-term visitors. Carry your original licence and passport at all times.
Both United States and Romania drive on the right. No adjustment needed.
United States uses mph, but Romania uses km/h. Verify your GPS or navigation app is set to the correct unit.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Rule | United States | Romania | Change? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic side | Right-hand traffic | Right-hand traffic | Same |
| Speed unit | mph | km/h | Yes |
| IDP required | — | No | No |
| Min. driving age | 16 | 18 | Differs |
| Emergency number | 911 | 112 | Different |
| Road difficulty | Easy | Moderate | — |
Speed Limits in Romania
Speed limits in Romania are posted in km/h (kilometres per hour). Quick reference: 50 km/h ≈ 31 mph · 100 km/h ≈ 62 mph · 130 km/h ≈ 81 mph.
Documents to Carry in Romania
- Original driving licence from United States — must be valid and unexpired
- Passport or national ID — carry at all times while driving
- Car insurance certificate — verify it covers Romania before departure
- Vehicle registration / rental agreement
Emergency Number in Romania
112 is the pan-European emergency number, widely accepted across many countries worldwide.
Emergency numbers for all countriesFull Romania Driving Guide
Road rules, toll system, fuel types, parking, regional quirks — everything you need for driving in Romania.
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