Driving Differences: Romania vs. United Kingdom Safety Tips
Explore the intriguing contrasts in road regulations between Romania and the United Kingdom. From lane usage to speed limits, this comparison highlights essential distinctions that impact safety for travelers. Discover how varying rules on overtaking, traffic signals, and alcohol limits can influence your driving experience in these two diverse nations.
Lanes
| Romania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited, mainly in urban areas | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
romania:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
romania:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
romania:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
romania:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
romania:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
romania:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
romania:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
romania:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
romania:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
romania:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
romania:
Limited, mainly in urban areas
united kingdom:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
romania:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
romania:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
romania:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
romania:
Not applicable
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
romania:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
romania:
Not commonly used
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Romania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not commonly used | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
romania:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
romania:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
romania:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
romania:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
romania:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
romania:
130 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
romania:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
romania:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
romania:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
romania:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
romania:
Not commonly used
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
romania:
Yes, common practice
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Romania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Romania | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Romanian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
romania:
Not used in Romania
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
romania:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
romania:
Unnecessary use discouraged; restrictions apply in some areas
united kingdom:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
romania:
Romanian; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Turns
| Romania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless signed otherwise | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
romania:
Not allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
romania:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
romania:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
romania:
Generally allowed unless signed otherwise
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Romania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
romania:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
romania:
International Driving Permit required
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
romania:
Yes, periodic inspections required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
romania:
Displayed on the windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
romania:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
romania:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Romania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Moderate use expected | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
romania:
Moderate use expected
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
romania:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Romania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Considerable fines for offenses | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
romania:
0.00% to 0.05%; new drivers may have stricter limits
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
romania:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
romania:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
romania:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
romania:
Considerable fines for offenses
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Romania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
romania:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
romania:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Romania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Call 112 for police assistance | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Call your insurance provider or a local service | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
romania:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
romania:
Call 112 for police assistance
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
romania:
Call your insurance provider or a local service
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
romania:
Mandatory; must be carried in the vehicle
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
romania:
Mandatory; must be worn when outside the vehicle on the road
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Romania | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Hefty fines and possible license suspension | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable; license points may be added | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist | Possible if fines are not paid |
Common Fines: Speeding
romania:
Varies; fines increase with speed over the limit
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
romania:
Hefty fines and possible license suspension
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
romania:
Fine applicable; mandatory for all passengers
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
romania:
Fines apply; using a phone without a hands-free kit is prohibited
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
romania:
Fines applicable; license points may be added
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
romania:
Possible; payment can be immediate or through the bank
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
romania:
Varies; typically within 15 to 30 days
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
romania:
Possible if fines are not paid or immediate safety concerns exist
united kingdom:
Possible if fines are not paid