NEWS

Technical Inspection for International Travel — Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova. Situation as of 23/09/2024

Technical inspection (TO) of vehicles is a mandatory procedure in most European countries. Its purpose is to ensure road safety and compliance with environmental standards. Recently, the requirements for having a valid TO have been tightened at the borders with Ukraine, creating several challenges for Ukrainian vehicle owners. This article outlines the current situation regarding technical inspections in Romania, Bulgaria, and Moldova.

Romania

Border Situation:

Currently, it is nearly impossible to enter Romania without a valid TO. In 99% of cases, the absence of a TO results in a refusal to enter. The remaining 1% are exceptions or mistakes that may lead to additional problems for the vehicle owner in the future.

Returning to Ukraine through Romania:

The Isaccea-Orlovka ferry crossing remains the only relatively unobstructed route for returning to Ukraine from the south. Although a verbal warning may be given for the lack of TO, vehicle owners are typically allowed to continue their journey.

However, at other checkpoints, the situation is more complicated. Information has emerged about the first fines for lacking a TO. For example, on 24.08.2024, several Ukrainian vehicles at the Galați checkpoint were fined, and their vehicle registration certificates were confiscated. The cars were allowed to proceed toward Moldova with a document confirming the confiscation of the registration certificate, but the Moldovan authorities refused to accept them without the Ukrainian TO. As a result, some vehicle owners had to return via Isaccea.

Fines and Consequences for Lack of TO:

  • The fine is around 750 lei (approximately 150 EUR) if paid within a grace period of 15 days.
  • The fine references the legal articles related to the absence of a valid technical inspection.
  • Confiscated registration certificates are not returned, even after submitting the Ukrainian TO with a notarized translation. Romanian police demand a Romanian TO (RAR), although the grounds for this requirement remain unclear.
  • Additional information: Romanian border guards and customs authorities require photocopies of all TO pages. If not provided, there is a charge for photocopying, around 5 EUR. It is recommended to prepare photocopies of documents in advance.

Moldova

Border Situation:

At the Moldova-Romania border, it is impossible to cross with a Moldovan TO obtained from the Telecenter. These documents are often considered fraudulent, and there have been cases where they were seized. A fine has also been imposed for using such a TO.

There was also a case of a vehicle attempting to return to Ukraine through the Oancea-Cahul checkpoint, where Romanian border guards allowed the vehicle to pass without a TO and without a fine, but the Moldovan authorities refused entry without the TO. The driver attempted to return to Romania but was refused entry. In the end, the driver managed to cross into Ukraine, but it was more by chance.

Risks:

Using unverified or questionable documents could result in fines and further problems at the border. The decision to undergo an official TO or attempt to bypass the system rests with the vehicle owner, but the potential consequences should be taken into account.

Bulgaria

Border Situation:

The enforcement of TO requirements periodically affects the Romania-Bulgaria border. Reports have emerged that Bulgarian border guards have started asking for the TO and expressing dissatisfaction with its absence when entering Bulgaria. There have been increased cases of Ukrainian vehicles being denied exit from Bulgaria to Romania without a valid TO, especially at the Ruse, Durandulak, and Kardam checkpoints. Bulgarian authorities justify this by stating that vehicles entering Romania without a TO will not be allowed entry.

As of 23/09/2024, a large flow of reports indicates that Bulgarian authorities are denying exit to Ukrainian vehicles toward Romania. According to online reports, vehicle owners either switch to other checkpoints or “resolve the issue” on-site through bribes.

Recommendations for Vehicle Owners:

  1. Check the Validity of Your TO Before Traveling: Ensuring you have a valid technical inspection can save time, money, and avoid complications at the border.
  2. Prepare Photocopies of All Necessary Documents: Include all pages of your TO to avoid additional expenses at the border.
  3. Be Ready for Possible Delays and Checks: Factor in extra time for potential delays and checks when planning your route.
  4. Consider Alternative Routes: If your TO is expired, consider routes like the Isaccea-Orlovka ferry crossing, which may be more lenient with TO requirements.

Conclusion

The tightening of control over valid technical inspections at the borders with Romania, Bulgaria, and Moldova has created new difficulties for Ukrainian vehicle owners. Whether to undergo an official TO for international travel or risk crossing the border without it is a personal decision. However, vehicle owners should be aware of the potential fines, document confiscations, and other issues that could arise without a valid TO.