Driving Differences: India vs Romania Explained
Explore the unique nuances of road regulations between India and Romania, where driving practices diverge significantly. Discover how lane usage, speed limits, and traffic signals differ, influencing safety on the roads. This comparison unveils essential insights for travelers, ensuring they navigate each country's highways with confidence and awareness.
Lanes
| India | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, but only when safe. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Limited, mainly in urban areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
Driving Side
india:
Left
romania:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
india:
No
romania:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
india:
Use leftmost lane.
romania:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
romania:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
india:
N/A
romania:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| India | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Not commonly used |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities and highways | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
india:
40-50 km/h
romania:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
romania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
romania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
romania:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
india:
Yes, commonly used
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| India | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | Not used in Romania |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common due to varied vehicle conditions | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and local languages; 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
india:
Not used in India
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
romania:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
india:
Triangular with red border
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| India | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Not allowed |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
romania:
Not allowed
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
romania:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| India | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory
romania:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
india:
Not mandatory
romania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| India | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to other countries | Moderate use expected |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
romania:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
romania:
Moderate use expected
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
romania:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
romania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Considerable fines for offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Test Refusal
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
romania:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| India | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
romania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
romania:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| India | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| India | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license | 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 | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | 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
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
india:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
india:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist