Driving in France vs. Romania: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of France and Romania, it's essential to understand their distinct driving regulations and practices. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and signaling at roundabouts. Familiarizing yourself with these variations ensures a safer and more enjoyable journey through these diverse European landscapes.
Lanes
| France | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | 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: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
romania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
romania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
france:
Yes
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
france:
N/A
romania:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
romania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits.
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| France | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, common practice |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
france:
Yes
romania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
france:
Electronic signs display current limits
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| France | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not used in Romania |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; symbols are standard | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
france:
Not used in France
romania:
Not used in Romania
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
romania:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| France | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| France | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
romania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
romania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| France | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Moderate use expected |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
romania:
Moderate use expected
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
romania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Considerable fines for offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
france:
0.05%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Limits: Professional Drivers
france:
0.02%
romania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Roundabouts
| France | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
romania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | 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
france:
17 or through local police
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| France | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 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
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
france:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist