Driving Differences: Albania vs. Romania Explained
Discover the unique driving landscapes of Albania and Romania as we delve into their road regulations and safety practices. Key distinctions include bus lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol restrictions. Whether you're navigating urban streets or rural highways, understanding these variations is crucial for a secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Albania | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Bus Lanes: Presence
albania:
No
romania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
albania:
N/A
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
albania:
N/A
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
albania:
Yes
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
albania:
N/A
romania:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Albania | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can be paid at the scene. | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
albania:
40 km/h
romania:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
albania:
70 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
albania:
70 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
albania:
110 km/h
romania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
albania:
90 km/h
romania:
100 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
albania:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
albania:
Yes; fines can be paid at the scene.
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Albania | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Albania | Not used in Romania |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
albania:
Not used in Albania
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
albania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Traffic Signs: Language
albania:
Symbols are standard; local signs in Albanian
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
albania:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Albania | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
albania:
Not allowed unless explicitly permitted by a sign
romania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
albania:
Varies by locality; check for signs
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| Albania | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
albania:
Accepted for visits less than one year; International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
albania:
Accepted for visits less than a year; International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
albania:
Mandatory; proof required
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
albania:
Displayed on windshield
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Albania | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use expected |
Flashing Lights: Usage
albania:
To warn of hazards or indicate intention to overtake
romania:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
albania:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
romania:
Moderate use expected
Alcohol
| Albania | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.01% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during holidays | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for violations | Considerable fines for offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
albania:
0.01%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Limits: Underage Drivers
albania:
0.00%; zero tolerance
romania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
albania:
Common, especially during holidays
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
albania:
Substantial fines for violations
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Emergency Services
| Albania | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 129 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: Traffic Police
albania:
129
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
albania:
Check with your insurance provider
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
albania:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
albania:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Albania | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines over 1,000 ALL | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; potential fines and penalties | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines over 5,000 ALL | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist |
Common Fines: Speeding
albania:
Varies; fines can range from 5,000 to 20,000 ALL
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
albania:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
albania:
Fines over 1,000 ALL
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
albania:
Varies; potential fines and penalties
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
albania:
Fines over 5,000 ALL
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
albania:
Yes; fines can often be paid at the scene
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
albania:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
albania:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist