Driving in Norway vs. Romania: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Norway and Romania, drivers encounter distinct rules and practices that shape their motoring experience. While Norway emphasizes strict speed limits and comprehensive lane markings, Romania offers a more lenient approach to overtaking and alcohol limits. Understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring a secure journey in either country.
Lanes
| Norway | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not standard in Norway. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mainly in urban areas |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or more occupants | Not applicable |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
norway:
Used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
romania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
norway:
Not standard in Norway.
romania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
norway:
Only permitted in specific situations, e.g., if the vehicle in front has signaled a left turn.
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
norway:
Yes
romania:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
norway:
Minimum two or more occupants
romania:
Not applicable
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
norway:
Yes
romania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits.
romania:
Not commonly used
Speeds Limits
| Norway | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-110 km/h | 130 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 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 | Yes | Yes, common practice |
Urban Areas: Standard
norway:
30-50 km/h
romania:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
norway:
90-110 km/h
romania:
130 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
norway:
90-100 km/h
romania:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
norway:
80 km/h
romania:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
norway:
Yes
romania:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
norway:
Electronic signs display current limits
romania:
Not commonly used
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
norway:
Yes
romania:
Yes, common practice
Signals
| Norway | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Norway | 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 | Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places | Romanian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
norway:
Not used in Norway
romania:
Not used in Romania
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
norway:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
Traffic Signs: Language
norway:
Norwegian; symbols are standard, with English in some places
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
norway:
Triangular-shaped with red border
romania:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Norway | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise |
U- Turns Allowed
norway:
Varies by locality; check for signs
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
Documentation
| Norway | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with a national driving license | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | None | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
norway:
Accepted with a national driving license
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
norway:
International Driving Permit recommended
romania:
International Driving Permit required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
norway:
Yes, periodic inspection required
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
norway:
None
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
romania:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Norway | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Moderate use expected |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
norway:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
romania:
Moderate use expected
Alcohol
| Norway | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints used regularly |
| Enforcement: Fines | High fines and possible license revocation | Considerable fines for offenses |
Limits: General Drivers
norway:
0.02%
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
Limits: Professional Drivers
norway:
0.02%
romania:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
norway:
0.00%; zero tolerance
romania:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
norway:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
Enforcement: Fines
norway:
High fines and possible license revocation
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
Emergency Services
| Norway | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 02800 | Call 112 for police assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or NAF | Call your insurance provider or a local service |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road |
Contact: Traffic Police
norway:
02800
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
norway:
Check with your insurance provider or NAF
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
norway:
Mandatory
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
norway:
Recommended
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
Penalties And Fines
| Norway | Romania | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment | Hefty fines and possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | 1500 NOK | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 1700 NOK | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | Fines applicable; license points may be added |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, typically required | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 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
norway:
Varies; substantial fines and possible points on license
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
norway:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
norway:
1500 NOK
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
Common Fines: Phone Use
norway:
1700 NOK
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
norway:
Varies; substantial fines
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
Payment: On The Spot
norway:
Yes, typically required
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
Payment: Deadline
norway:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
norway:
Possible if fines are not paid
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist