Can an Indian Drive in Romania? — IDP Required, Zero-Alcohol Rule

Romania rewards a road trip, from the Transfăgărășan to the painted monasteries of Bucovina, and an Indian licence can take you there. Settle three things first: the permit, the switch from left to right, and a strict line on alcohol. The permit is the one that can stop the rental before it starts.

Why the permit is not optional

Under OUG 195/2002, article 82(3), any driver holding a licence from a state outside the 1968 Vienna convention needs an international driving permit as well. The UN treaty records show India is a party only to the 1949 Geneva convention, so the rule applies to you, and the permit your RTO issues is the 1949 model. Carry it with your licence and passport. Ask the hire firm to confirm in writing, before you pay, that it accepts that permit. If the trip crosses a border, the driving permit checker shows what each neighbour wants.

Coming from the left

India drives on the left; Romania drives on the right. The first hour is the risky one: pulling out of the rental lot, joining a roundabout, leaving a petrol station. Nothing in the car helps you, because the controls are mirrored too. Take the first stretch slowly, pick a quiet road for the first drive if you can, and say the rule aloud at junctions: look left first when crossing into traffic, keep right on exit. Fatigue after a long flight makes slips more likely, so avoid collecting the car late at night.

India and Romania side by side

Under articles 49 and 50 of the ordinance, cars may do 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h on ordinary roads outside them, 100 km/h on expressways and European roads, and 130 km/h on motorways. The town figure is where an Indian driver is most likely to be caught out: it is well below what you may be used to on some urban roads at home. National roads outside the big cities need a rovinieta, the road vignette, sold at border points and most petrol stations; our vignette countries guide explains how these work.

Alcohol: none at all

Canada describes zero tolerance, and UK advice warns that any alcohol found in your system can bring a fine and possible imprisonment. India’s limit is 30 mg per 100 ml; Romania has no such margin. A beer at lunch followed by a drive is not a grey area here.

Penalties you should know

Not wearing a seatbelt costs RON 580-1,450 (about EUR 120-300), far above India’s INR 1,000 fine for the same thing. Hand-held phone use is a Class III fine with 4 penalty points. Running a red light brings a Class II fine and a mandatory 30-day licence suspension. Speeding is punished mainly through points: 2 points at 10-20 km/h over, 3 at 21-30, 4 at 31-40. Over 50 km/h over the limit it becomes a Class IV fine and a 90-day suspension. The speeding fine calculator shows typical amounts.

Winter and kit

Winter tyres are required whenever snow, ice or sleet is on the road. A car must carry a first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, red warning triangle and fluorescent jacket. A hire car should have all four; look in the boot before leaving the lot. Mountain passes can be closed in winter, so check the route on the day.

Emergency numbers

Romania uses 112 for police, ambulance and fire alike. India’s 100, 101 and 108 will not connect, so store 112 in your phone before the flight. Rules not covered here are in the Romania driving guide.

Pickup checklist

• Licence, 1949 permit and passport in hand
• Written confirmation from the hire firm about the permit
• Rovinieta valid for the car
• Winter tyres if it is cold season
• Triangle, first-aid kit, extinguisher and jacket in the boot

Sources

• Emergency Ordinance 195/2002, art. 82(3) (IDP for licences from non-1968 states) and art. 49-50 (speed bands, used for the Indian-driver comparison): lege5.ro
• UN Treaty Collection, 1968 Convention on Road Traffic (Romania a party; India not): treaties.un.org
• UN Treaty Collection, 1949 Convention on Road Traffic (India 1962): treaties.un.org
• Global Affairs Canada, Romania travel advice (zero tolerance; rovinieta): travel.gc.ca
• GOV.UK foreign travel advice, Romania, safety and security (alcohol; rovinieta; winter tyres; equipment): gov.uk
• India, Motor Vehicles Act 1988 s.185 (30 mg per 100 ml): indiacode.nic.in