Driving in Italy vs Romania: Key Differences to Know
When traversing the roads of Italy and Romania, drivers must navigate a landscape of distinct regulations and practices. Key differences in lane markings, speed limits, and alcohol limits highlight the importance of understanding each country’s unique traffic culture. Familiarizing yourself with these variations is essential for ensuring a secure and smooth journey abroad.
Lanes
| Italy | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| 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
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
romania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
romania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
italy:
Yes
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
italy:
N/A
romania:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
romania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Italy | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, common practice |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
70 km/h
romania:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
italy:
Yes
romania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Italy | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used; prepare to go when green appears | 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 | Italian; symbols are standard | 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
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
italy:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Italy | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Not allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
Right Turn On Red
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
romania:
Not allowed
U- Turns Allowed
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| Italy | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate | Displayed on the windshield |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
Road Etiquette
| Italy | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use expected |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
italy:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
romania:
Moderate use expected
Alcohol
| Italy | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial | Considerable fines for offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
italy:
0.05%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Enforcement: Random Checks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Emergency Services
| Italy | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | 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
italy:
113 (State Police)
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
italy:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | 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 | Varies; fines apply | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, strict enforcement | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days | 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
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
italy:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
italy:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist