Driving abroad from Romania: which documents do you need?

First of all

Go through them now, not on the day you leave. A document that expires mid-holiday is a problem in another country, not at home.

The car's documents

• The registration certificate, in the car, not in a drawer at home.
• Insurance and roadworthiness valid for the WHOLE trip, not just on the day you leave.
• Ask your insurer whether you need a Green Card for the countries you pass through — they issue it.
• If the car isn't yours (company, leasing, borrowed): leaving Romania, nobody asks for the owner's consent, but other countries may. Ask the embassy of each country you'll drive through, well ahead.

Everyone's documents

• A valid ID card or passport for each person, children included.
• Your licence, valid. Check whether it expires during the trip.
• A child travelling without one parent usually needs that parent's consent. Check with the Border Police what the destination country requires.
• Outside the EU many countries require the passport to stay valid for a while after entry — check that country's conditions on mae.ro.

Vignettes and road tolls

• Nearly every country has its own system: some need a vignette bought in advance, others charge at barriers or on specific tunnels and bridges.
• Buy ONLY from that country's official site. Plenty of sites resell the same vignette for much more.
• Check which plate you bought it for before you leave. One wrong letter means you have no vignette at all.

What the car must carry

• The required equipment differs by country: a reflective vest (sometimes one per passenger), a second warning triangle, an extinguisher, a first-aid kit, spare bulbs.
• Some countries also require the country sticker, or headlights on at all times during the day.
• Check for every country you PASS THROUGH, not only the one you are heading to.

If the pet comes along

• A pet passport and an up-to-date rabies vaccination.
• Some countries require extra treatments done a few days before entry — ask your vet well ahead.

Set yourself a reminder, so you don't have to remember

In the Nu-mă-uita app, under Resources → “Driving abroad”, one tap sets a reminder for:

• Ask the insurer for a Green Card
• Buy the vignette for the trip
• Check the car's required equipment
• Photograph the documents and save them on my phone

What you need

• ITP — roadworthiness testWhat you need for the ITP roadworthiness test in Romania
• RCA — mandatory car insuranceWhat you need for RCA car insurance in Romania
• Driver's licenseWhat you need to renew your Romanian driver's license
• ID card (buletin)What you need to renew your Romanian ID card
• PassportWhat you need to renew your Romanian passport
• European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)European Health Insurance Card in Romania: what you need and how long it takes

More guides

• How long are Romanian ID cards, passports and driving licences valid?
• What should you do after a car accident in Romania?