Registration of Ukrainian Cars in Romania

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, many Ukrainian car owners have been forced to move to other countries, including Romania. One of the current issues for them is the operation of their cars in Romania. With temporary protection in place and ongoing legislative changes, questions related to car registration, technical inspections, and potential stricter rules require thorough consideration. In this article, we will discuss the current situation and forecasts for Ukrainian car owners in Romania.

Temporary Protection and Duration of Ukrainian Cars in Romania

Under the temporary protection provided to Ukrainian citizens in Romania, their cars can remain in the country without time restrictions until the end of the protection period. A key point is that the issue of temporary or permanent registration of Ukrainian cars in Romania has not been legislatively settled. This creates uncertainty and raises the possibility of future changes.

Technical Inspection and Possible Changes

In light of recent events regarding technical inspection requirements for entering Romania, forecasts suggest that there could be stricter measures for Ukrainians residing in the country under temporary protection.

Changes in Protection as of May 2024:

In May 2024, an amendment was made to the temporary protection law stating that the document must include the address of residence. Ukrainians may exchange their old protection for the new one that includes an address. It is expected that in the future, the old protection will no longer be valid. There have already been reports that when applying for jobs, opening bank accounts, or enrolling in schools and kindergartens, a protection document with an address is required.

Legislative Requirements:

According to Article 82 of Law No. 195/2002, Points 4 and 5 of ORDONANȚA DE URGENȚĂ nr. 69 din 28 iunie 2007, vehicles registered in other countries can remain in Romania for no more than 90 days with valid insurance.

Point 4: States that vehicles registered in other countries may move on Romanian roads for 90 days from the entry date if they are insured for civil liability resulting from accidents. This limitation applies to all vehicles, including agricultural and forestry tractors, as well as trailers.
Point 5: Individuals who have established their residence or domicile in Romania are required to register their vehicles with Romanian authorities in the area where their residence or domicile is located.

These provisions could mean that Ukrainian cars in Romania for over 90 days or those under temporary protection may face the need for technical inspections or registration with Romanian authorities.

“Temporary Registration” and Technical Inspection in RAR

Ukrainian car owners cannot register their cars in Romania in the same way as residents or take advantage of the duty-free import or license plate change allowances as permitted in countries like Germany. However, they can undergo temporary vehicle registration in RAR (Registrul Auto Român), entering their vehicles into the database. This temporary registration is mandatory for vehicles staying in Romania for more than 90 days and could serve as a form of “temporary” registration.

Example of Costs:

For a technical inspection at RAR, a fee of 115 Romanian lei is charged for assigning a registration number. This fee is listed as “Atribuire număr de registru” on the receipt.

It is important to note that vehicles registered in Romania (even temporarily) must undergo a local technical inspection. There is a possibility that Romanian authorities may begin requiring technical inspections in RAR for all vehicles staying in the country for a long period. This process could essentially be treated as temporary vehicle registration without the need for license plate changes.

Forecasts and Expectations

While a clear path for registering Ukrainian cars in Romania is not yet in place, it is important to be prepared for possible legislative changes regarding registration and technical inspections of vehicles. With the introduction of new requirements for address verification in temporary protection, further tightening of rules is expected. Keeping an eye on legal updates will help avoid fines for technical inspections and ensure compliance with new regulations.