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Car rental in Albania
Car Rental in Romania
Romania is a country where the highway leads straight into the Middle Ages: the Transfăgărășan Highway, the castles of Transylvania, and the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. With a rental car, you set your own pace—leave Bucharest in the morning and reach Brașov or Sinaia by evening. Compare offers from local rental companies and book online in just a few minutes.
Cities
Cities: Romania
All cities with built-in car search. Each page has a ready search, prices by class and rental terms.
Terms
Rental terms in Romania
The basic rules of most rental providers in the country. Exact terms of a specific offer are shown in the city search before payment.
- Driver age — from 21 years.
- Driving experience — from 1 years.
- Fuel policy: “full-to-full”.
- Cross-border travel to UA, MD, Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary — by prior arrangement at booking.
- Basic insurance (CDW/TP) is included in the price.
- A Full CDW package reduces the excess to zero.
- A deposit (~300 RON) is held on the driver’s card.
- National driving licence.
- Driver’s passport.
- International Driving Permit (IDP) — if your licence is not in Latin script.
- A bank card in the driver’s name for the deposit.
On the road
Driving rules in Romania
A driver’s guide for the country — common traveler questions: currency, fuel, speed limits, toll roads.
| Currency | RON |
|---|---|
| Speed limits | 50 city · 90 rural · 120 expressway · 130 motorway (km/h) |
| Blood alcohol limit | up to 0 ‰ |
| Daytime headlights | not required |
| Vignette (toll roads) | required |
Traffic rules: Romania
- Right-hand traffic and standard European road rules.
- Speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on national and rural roads, 120 km/h on expressways, and 130 km/h on motorways.
- Low-beam headlights are mandatory outside built-up areas and on motorways. They are not required at all times within cities.
- Zero alcohol tolerance: any measurable blood alcohol level is considered a criminal offense.
- Seat belts are mandatory for all occupants, including rear-seat passengers.
- Mobile phones may only be used with a hands-free system.
- Children under 135 cm in height must travel in an appropriate child restraint system.
- A rovinieta (electronic road vignette) is mandatory for national roads, expressways, and motorways. Rental cars registered in Romania usually already have a valid vignette—confirm this when collecting the vehicle.
- Winter tires are required whenever roads are covered with snow, ice, or slush rather than during fixed calendar dates. In practice, this mainly applies from late autumn to early spring, especially in the Carpathian Mountains.
- Every vehicle must carry two warning triangles, a reflective safety vest, a first-aid kit, and a fire extinguisher.
- Traffic fines are paid through authorized institutions. ANPR cameras automatically detect violations and fines are sent to the vehicle owner, including foreign drivers.
Questions
Frequently asked questions about car rental in Romania
License, deposit, border crossing, driver age and toll roads.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a car in Romania?
If your driver’s license is issued in the Latin alphabet, your national driver’s license and passport are sufficient. If it is issued in Cyrillic or another non-Latin alphabet, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.
What is the minimum age to rent a car?
Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old with at least one year of driving experience. Drivers under 25 usually pay a young driver surcharge.
What is a rovinieta and do I need one?
A rovinieta is the mandatory electronic road vignette for Romania’s national roads, expressways, and motorways. Rental cars in Romania usually already have a valid vignette, but you should confirm this when collecting the vehicle.
Is a security deposit required?
Yes. A security deposit is blocked on the driver’s bank card when collecting the vehicle and released after the car is returned without damage. The amount depends on the rental company and vehicle category.
Where can I pick up and return the car?
Cars are commonly available at Bucharest airports (Otopeni and Băneasa), Cluj, Timișoara, Iași, Constanța, and in the centers of many cities.
Can I drive to neighboring countries?
Yes, but travel to Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, Moldova, or Ukraine must be approved during booking. A Green Card insurance certificate and an additional fee may be required.
Can I drink alcohol before driving?
No. Romania has a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol while driving. Any measurable alcohol level is considered a criminal offense.
When are winter tires required?
There is no fixed winter season by law. Winter tires are mandatory whenever roads are covered with snow or ice. In practice, this mainly applies from late autumn to early spring, especially in the Carpathian Mountains.
Nearby
Similar destinations
Neighboring and kindred countries of the Balkans and the Caucasus with built-in car search.
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