Exchanging a foreign driving licence in Romania without an exam: recognised countries, procedure, costs and timelines

What "exchange without an exam" means

If you live legally in Romania and hold a valid driving licence issued by another country, in many cases you can exchange it for a Romanian licence without taking the driving exam (neither the theory test nor the practical test). The procedure is called the exchange of a foreign driving licence for a similar Romanian document and is regulated by Ordinul MAI nr. 163/2011, as subsequently amended.

The essential condition: the country that issued your licence must appear on one of the official lists of recognised states (annexes 1, 2 and 3 to Ordinul MAI nr. 163/2011). If your country is not on the lists, the licence cannot be exchanged, and in order to drive in Romania you will need to obtain a Romanian licence the standard way: driving school and exam.

Who can apply

The exchange can be requested by persons who have their domicile, residence or normal residence in Romania:

• foreign citizens with a valid residence permit (single permit, EU Blue Card, residence permit for family reunification, studies etc.);
• EU/EEA citizens with a registration certificate in Romania;
• Romanian citizens with domicile or residence in the country.

Proof is provided with the residence permit or the identity document. The foreign driving licence must be valid on the date the application is submitted. Licences that are expired, lost, stolen, badly damaged or suspended cannot, as a rule, be exchanged — with some exceptions (for example expired EU licences or countries with bilateral agreements that allow it). Check your specific situation with the licence service before booking an appointment.

Countries whose licences are exchanged without an exam

Ordinul MAI nr. 163/2011 groups the recognised countries into 3 categories.

1. EU/EEA countries, Switzerland and the United Kingdom

Licences issued by the 27 European Union member states, the EEA states (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), Switzerland and the United Kingdom are exchanged without an exam, based on European mutual recognition and the Vienna Convention. The old licence is withdrawn and sent to the issuing authority, because European law prohibits holding 2 licences issued by EU/EEA states at the same time.

2. Signatory states of the Vienna Convention (1968)

Romania is a party to the Convention on Road Traffic, concluded in Vienna on 8 November 1968. National licences issued by the signatory states are exchanged without an exam. These states include:

3. Countries with reciprocity agreements

Countries that are not party to the Vienna Convention but with which Romania has concluded agreements on mutual recognition of licences:

• Canada
• United States of America
• Japan
• Republic of Korea
• Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
• Lebanese Republic
• Syrian Arab Republic
• People's Republic of China — category B only (passenger cars); an exam is required for the other categories

Important: the lists are updated periodically by order of the Minister of Internal Affairs. Before submitting your file, check the list in force on the official website dgpci.mai.gov.ro or with the licence service in your county.

What happens if your country is NOT on the list

Licences issued by countries that do not appear in the annexes to Ordinul MAI nr. 163/2011 cannot be exchanged. Countries frequently encountered among foreign workers in Romania that are not on the lists include: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia.

If you are in this situation and want to drive in Romania, you must obtain a Romanian licence the standard way: enrolment at an authorised driving school, then a theory and practical exam at the licence service. The theory test can also be taken in English.

Where to submit the file

The file is submitted in person at the Public Community Service for Driving Licences and Vehicle Registration (SPCRPCÎV) in the county where you have your domicile or residence (for Bucharest: the service within the Prefecture of Bucharest Municipality). The contact details of each county service can be found on the website of the General Directorate for Driving Licences and Registrations: dgpci.mai.gov.ro.

Appointments are booked online at dgpci.mai.gov.ro, selecting the county and the desired service. If you are not in the country, the file can be submitted through a representative with a special power of attorney, drawn up at Romania's diplomatic missions or consular offices in that country.

Required documents

1. The application — completed and signed electronically at the counter.
2. The foreign driving licence, in original — handed over at submission (it is withdrawn and, where applicable, sent to the issuing authority).
3. A legalised translation into Romanian of the licence — for licences issued by the countries in annexes 2 and 3 (generally, licences from outside the EU/EEA).
4. The identity document: the residence permit (for non-EU foreign citizens), the registration certificate + passport (for EU/EEA citizens) or the identity card (for Romanian citizens).
5. Proof of payment of the licence fee — 89 lei (not required if payment was made online via ghiseul.ro or dgpci.mai.gov.ro).
6. The medical certificate — only if the foreign licence has expired or if you request a Romanian licence with a new administrative validity; it can be obtained from any medical unit authorised to examine drivers.
7. Express consent for the issuance of the criminal record extract — a requirement introduced by Ordinul MAI nr. 178/2024; given at the counter.
8. The document proving a name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree) — where applicable.

At submission, your photo and signature are also captured, and the applicant receives a temporary replacement document, valid until the Romanian licence is issued.

How much it costs

The exchange itself involves no other fees. Driving school is not required and no exam fees are paid.

How long it takes

• EU/EEA licences: the procedure is fast — after submitting the complete file, the Romanian licence is issued and delivered by post, on average within 5 working days (maximum 14 calendar days from issuance, according to the MAI services HUB).
• Licences from the countries in annexes 2 and 3 (non-EU): the general processing deadline is up to 30 days from submitting the application, but it can be extended when the Romanian authorities verify the authenticity of the licence with the issuing authority in that country. In practice, these checks can take between 30 and 90 days, depending on the issuing country.

Recommendation: start the process early, especially if your licence was issued by a non-EU country, and make sure the licence is valid on the date of submission.

The steps, in short

1. Check whether the issuing country of your licence appears on the official lists (dgpci.mai.gov.ro).
2. Obtain a legalised translation of the licence, if applicable.
3. Pay the licence fee online: 89 lei (ghiseul.ro or dgpci.mai.gov.ro).
4. Book an appointment online at the SPCRPCÎV in your county of domicile or residence.
5. Go to the counter with the documents; hand over the foreign licence, sign the application, and your photo and signature are captured.
6. You receive the temporary replacement document, and the Romanian licence is delivered by post to the address you indicated.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to take any exam? No, if your licence was issued by a country on the official lists. Exception: licences from China, for which only category B is exchanged without an exam.

Can I drive in Romania until the exchange? Yes, with a valid national licence issued by a recognised country (an EU/EEA state or a signatory of the Vienna Convention), together with your identity document. After establishing residence in Romania, however, the exchange is recommended — and in certain situations (for example employment as a professional driver) employers require it from the start.

Do I keep all my categories? Yes, the equivalent categories from the foreign licence are transcribed into the Romanian licence, with the harmonised European codes 70 or 71 recorded in the restrictions field. The exception is China (category B only).

My licence has expired. Can I still exchange it? As a rule, no. Exceptions exist for licences issued by EU states and for some countries with bilateral agreements. Check your specific situation with the SPCRPCÎV.

What happens to my old licence? It is handed over when the file is submitted. Licences issued by EU/EEA states are sent to the issuing authority; for other countries, the licence is withdrawn according to the procedure.

Legal basis

• Ordinul MAI nr. 163/2011 on the exchange of national driving licences issued by the competent authorities of other states for similar Romanian documents, as subsequently amended (including Ordinul MAI nr. 58/2017 and Ordinul MAI nr. 178/2024)
• OUG nr. 195/2002 on traffic on public roads, republished (art. 83)
• OUG nr. 152/2020 (fee for the driving licence: 89 lei)
• The Convention on Road Traffic, Vienna, 8 November 1968, ratified by Romania through Decretul nr. 318/1980
• Directiva 2006/126/CE on driving licences

This material is for information purposes. The lists of countries and the procedural conditions may change; always check the updated information on dgpci.mai.gov.ro and hub.mai.gov.ro before submitting your file.