In short: If you have a valid residence permit in Romania and a driving licence from your home country, you may be able to swap it for a Romanian one — no driving school, no exam. It depends on whether your country is on Romania’s official list. This guide explains the three lists, the documents, the costs (89 lei for the licence itself), and what to do if your country is not recognised.
Contents
- How the exchange works
- Who is eligible
- The three lists of recognised countries
- Countries not on the list — what then?
- Where and how to apply
- What to bring
- What it costs
- How long to expect
- Quick checklist
- Common questions
How the exchange works
Romania allows foreign residents to exchange their driving licence for a Romanian one without sitting any exam — no theory test, no practical test, no driving school. The legal name of the procedure is preschimbarea permisului de conducere străin, and it is regulated by Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs no. 163/2011, as amended.
The catch is simple: it only works if the country that issued your licence appears on one of three official lists. If it does, you hand in your foreign licence, submit a short file, and receive a Romanian licence by post. If it does not, the only road to a Romanian licence is through driving school and the full exam.
Who is eligible
You can apply if you have your domicile, residence or normal residence in Romania. In practice, this means:
- Non-EU nationals with a valid residence permit — a single permit, an EU Blue Card, a family reunification permit, a student permit, or any other type.
- EU/EEA citizens who hold a Romanian registration certificate.
- Romanian citizens living in Romania.
Your foreign driving licence must be valid on the day you submit the application. Licences that are expired, lost, stolen or suspended cannot normally be exchanged. There are narrow exceptions — some expired EU licences and some bilateral agreements allow it — but the safe rule is: do not let your licence expire before you apply.
The three lists of recognised countries
Order no. 163/2011 divides recognised countries into three groups. If your country appears in any of them, your licence qualifies for exchange without exam.
List 1 — EU/EEA, Switzerland and the United Kingdom
All 27 EU Member States, the three EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), Switzerland and the United Kingdom. This is the simplest exchange: mutual recognition under EU law. Your old licence is withdrawn and returned to the country that issued it — EU rules do not allow you to hold two EU/EEA licences at the same time.
List 2 — Countries that signed the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (1968)
Romania signed the Vienna Convention, and licences from fellow signatory states are recognised for exchange. The list includes countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and the former Soviet Union:
| Albania | Guyana | Pakistan |
| Armenia | Honduras | Palestine |
| Azerbaijan | Iran | Peru |
| Bahamas | Iraq | Qatar |
| Bahrain | Israel | Russian Federation |
| Belarus | Kazakhstan | San Marino |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Kenya | Saudi Arabia |
| Brazil | Kuwait | Senegal |
| Cabo Verde | Kyrgyzstan | Serbia |
| Central African Republic | Liberia | Seychelles |
| Côte d’Ivoire | Mongolia | Thailand |
| Cuba | Montenegro | Tunisia |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | Morocco | Türkiye |
| Egypt | Myanmar | Turkmenistan |
| Georgia | Niger | Ukraine |
| North Macedonia | Nigeria | United Arab Emirates |
| Philippines | Republic of Moldova | Uruguay |
| Monaco | Uzbekistan | |
| Vietnam / Zimbabwe |
List 3 — Countries with bilateral reciprocity agreements
These countries are not Vienna Convention signatories, but Romania has separate agreements with each of them:
- Canada
- United States of America
- Japan
- Republic of Korea
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Syria
- China — category B (passenger cars) only; other categories require the exam
The lists change. They are updated by ministerial order, so before you start preparing your file, check the version currently in force at dgpci.mai.gov.ro or at the licence office in your county.
Countries not on the list — what then?
If your country is not in any of the three annexes, the exchange is not available. This affects a large number of foreign workers in Romania. Among the countries most often encountered that are not recognised: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Indonesia.
If this is your situation and you need to drive in Romania, the only path is the standard one: enrol in an authorised driving school, prepare for the theory test (it can be taken in English), and pass the practical exam at the county licence service. It takes longer and costs more, but it is the only legal option.
Where and how to apply
You submit the file in person at the county Driving Licence and Vehicle Registration Service (SPCRPCÎV) — the one covering the county where you live. For Bucharest, the service operates within the Bucharest Prefecture. All contact details and addresses are listed at dgpci.mai.gov.ro.
You must book an appointment online on the same website, selecting your county and the service you need. If you are abroad, a representative with a special power of attorney — drawn up at a Romanian embassy or consulate — can submit the file for you.
What to bring
- Your foreign driving licence (original) — you hand it in at the counter. It will be withdrawn and, for EU/EEA licences, returned to the issuing country.
- Certified Romanian translation of the licence — required for non-EU/EEA licences (Lists 2 and 3).
- Your identity document: residence permit (non-EU nationals), registration certificate + passport (EU/EEA citizens), or Romanian ID card.
- Proof of payment: 89 lei licence fee — you can pay online at ghiseul.ro or dgpci.mai.gov.ro before you go.
- Medical certificate — only needed if your foreign licence has expired or you want a new validity period. Any medical unit authorised for driver examinations will issue one.
- Consent for the criminal record extract — given at the counter (requirement since Order no. 178/2024).
- Name-change documents (marriage certificate, divorce decision) — if applicable.
At the counter, your photo and signature are captured digitally. You walk out with a temporary replacement document that is valid until the Romanian licence arrives.
What it costs
| Item | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Romanian driving licence fee | 89 lei | Always — one-time fee (GEO 152/2020). Pay online, at CEC Bank/BCR or by postal order |
| Certified translation | approx. 100–200 lei | Non-EU/EEA licences only. Depends on translator and language |
| Medical certificate | approx. 150–350 lei | Only if the licence has expired or you request a new validity period |
There are no other fees. You do not pay for driving school or for an exam — because there is none.
How long to expect
EU/EEA licences: the fastest track. After submitting a complete file, the Romanian licence is issued and posted to your address, typically within 5 working days (the legal maximum is 14 calendar days from issue).
Non-EU licences (Lists 2 and 3): the standard processing time is up to 30 days, but it can stretch considerably. The Romanian authorities verify the authenticity of your licence with the issuing country, and depending on how fast that country responds, the process can take 30 to 90 days in practice.
Start early — especially if your licence comes from a non-EU country — and make sure it is still valid when you submit.
Quick checklist
- Check whether your country is on the lists at dgpci.mai.gov.ro.
- Get the certified translation, if your licence is non-EU/EEA.
- Pay 89 lei online (ghiseul.ro or dgpci.mai.gov.ro).
- Book your appointment online at the licence service in your county.
- Go to the counter with everything. Hand in your foreign licence, sign, get your photo taken.
- Take the temporary document home. The Romanian licence arrives by post.
Common questions
Do I need to take any test?
No — not if your country is on the lists. The one exception: Chinese licences qualify only for category B (passenger cars). For other categories, the exam is required.
Can I drive while I wait for the Romanian licence?
Yes. You can drive in Romania with your valid foreign licence if it was issued by a recognised state (EU/EEA or Vienna Convention signatory), as long as you also carry your identity document. Once you settle in Romania, the exchange is recommended — and if you are hired as a professional driver, most employers will ask for it straight away.
Will I keep all my licence categories?
Yes. All equivalent categories are transcribed into the Romanian licence, with the harmonised European restriction codes 70 or 71 noted. Exception: China (category B only).
My licence has expired — can I still exchange it?
Generally, no. Some exceptions exist for expired EU licences and for countries with specific bilateral agreements. Check directly with the licence service before your appointment.
What happens to my original licence?
You hand it in at the counter. EU/EEA licences are sent back to the issuing country. Licences from other states are withdrawn and kept on file.
Legal basis
- Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs no. 163/2011, as amended (including Orders no. 58/2017 and no. 178/2024)
- GEO no. 195/2002 on road traffic, republished (Art. 83)
- GEO no. 152/2020 (licence fee: 89 lei)
- Convention on Road Traffic, Vienna, 8 November 1968 (ratified by Romania through Decree no. 318/1980)
- Directive 2006/126/EC on driving licences
More help for your life in Romania
- Guide to the residence permit — what it is, how to extend it, what happens when it expires
- Rights of foreign workers in Romania — the Labour Code protects you equally
- The new EU return rules from 2027 — what changes for foreigners without a right of residence
This guide is for information purposes. The lists of recognised countries and the procedural conditions may change. Always check the current information at dgpci.mai.gov.ro and hub.mai.gov.ro before submitting your file.
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