Technical Inspection of Ukrainian Vehicles in Romania

Vehicle technical inspections in Romania are mandatory for all cars, including foreign vehicles.

IMPORTANT! The technical inspection that Ukrainian-registered vehicles undergo in Romania is only valid within Romania.

For a long time, there were no questions raised about foreign vehicles in Romania, and the police did not interfere. However, it seems that this situation has now changed. Why?

The issue of controlling and inspecting foreign vehicles in Romania has become more relevant due to a number of regulations and international agreements referred to by Romanian authorities. One of the main documents governing this area is Government Ordinance No. 27/2002, approved by Law No. 233/2002, and Ordinance No. 195 of December 12, 2002, concerning road traffic.

According to a response to a request sent by Ukrainian drivers, the rules for foreign vehicles have been reviewed and tightened. The document states that vehicles registered in other countries can cross the state border and move on public roads in Romania only if certain technical conditions are met. These conditions include having a valid technical inspection certificate that complies with the requirements of Annex V (a) of the 1968 Vienna Convention, ratified by Romania.

The document also mentions that the technical inspection must be valid at the time of crossing the border and confirmed by the appropriate documents. According to Article 28 of Law 132/2017 on vehicle insurance, the vehicle insurance must also be checked.

Quote from Ordinance No. 195 of December 12, 2002, regarding technical inspections:

“Vehicles registered in other states may cross the state border and drive on public roads in Romania only with a valid technical inspection certificate, confirmed by the relevant documents.”

Therefore, if you plan to enter Romania in a foreign vehicle, be prepared for the possibility that you may be stopped and checked for compliance with all the stated requirements.

Why is this necessary?

A technical inspection confirms that your vehicle is safe to operate. During the inspection, various vehicle systems are checked to ensure they are functioning properly.

Where to do the Technical Inspection in Romania?

In Romania, you can undergo a technical inspection at authorized RAR (Registrul Auto Român) centers or private service stations with the appropriate accreditation. Ukrainians should go to RAR. You can find the nearest center on the RAR website.

Address of the RAR center in Constanța for the technical inspection: DN38 5, Agigea, Romania

If you are still in Ukraine, you can undergo the inspection at a price of around 2000 UAH—read our article for more details.

How to properly submit an application?

To undergo the inspection, you need to prepare the following documents:

Vehicle registration certificate (Ukrainian registration document).
Insurance policy (Green Card covering the EU for the duration of your vehicle’s stay in Romania).
Personal identification (passport).

In Constanța, the technical inspection is not conducted without temporary protection. This requirement will be clarified by the editorial team, as RAR has a section specifically for vehicles with foreign registration without specifying additional requirements for their owners.

It is recommended to bring your passport and driver’s license.

There have been reports that Ukrainian vehicle owners need temporary protection to undergo a technical inspection in Romania. However, reliable information indicates that Ukrainian car owners have passed the RAR inspection without temporary protection. The editorial team suspects that the practice of conducting inspections in Romania may vary, as there is still no clear position on the matter.

How to book an appointment for the technical inspection?

You can make an appointment via the official RAR website by filling out the required information, selecting a convenient place and time. You can also visit an authorized RAR center in person and schedule the inspection on-site.

Procedure for booking the technical inspection in Romania for Ukrainian vehicles:

Attention! After creating an appointment on the RAR website, it cannot be canceled or modified. Also, especially important, it is impossible to book the same VIN number at another location. Therefore, be sure to choose the date, time, and location carefully.

What will be checked during the technical inspection in Romania?

The inspection includes checking:

Brake discs and pads.
Brake lines.
Steering system.
Tire size compliance.
Absence of rust on the body.
Functionality of headlights, turn signals, brake lights, and hazard lights.
Absence of damage to tires and wheels.
No cracks in the windshield.
Sufficient levels of washer fluid, fuel, and engine oil.
Working seat belts.
Adjustment of the driver’s seat.
Working horn and warning signals.
Cleanliness and readability of the speedometer and license plates.

Mandatory equipment to have in the vehicle:

First aid kit.
Reflective triangle (2 pieces).
Fire extinguisher.
Reflective vest.

Completion of the inspection:

After the inspection, you will be informed of the results. If the inspection is passed successfully, you will receive the corresponding document. If any faults are found, they must be repaired, and you must undergo a repeat inspection.

The repeat inspection is also paid and costs around 70-80 Romanian lei if you manage to do it within 30 days after the first inspection. For a repeat inspection, cars are inspected on a first-come, first-served basis without an appointment. Only the parts that failed the first inspection will be rechecked.

Tinting during the RAR inspection of a Ukrainian vehicle in Romania:

If you have non-factory tinting, make sure to remove it in advance.

It has been reported that during the RAR inspection, they require the removal of tinting from the rear side windows, likely due to the absence of a conformity certificate for it.

In Romania, the requirements for tinted car windows are regulated by Government Resolution No. 55/2006 and the corresponding provisions of the RNTR 1 Regulation (Regulation on vehicle inspections). According to these documents, window tinting must comply with specific standards and can only be done in certified service centers (STOs) authorized to issue conformity certificates after installing tinting.

Even for rear side windows and rear windshields, a certificate confirming that the tinting meets legal requirements is necessary. Without this certificate, the tinting is considered illegal, and the vehicle will not pass the technical inspection.

Therefore, for your tinting to be legal, it must be installed at a certified STO that can issue a certificate confirming compliance with the standards.

If you want to keep the existing tinting on your rear windows, you can go to “stații ITP” or “service-uri autorizate RAR.” According to online reports, for around 200 Romanian lei, they will check your rear window tint and issue a conformity certificate, allowing you to pass the RAR inspection without removing the tint.

Technical inspection for new vehicles and those younger than 3 years:

Ukrainian-registered vehicles are not subject to the provisions of Article (3¹), which states that vehicles intended for passenger transport with no more than 8 seats (besides the driver’s seat) must undergo the first technical inspection within 3 years if they were newly registered in Romania. This rule applies only to new cars registered in Romania.

Thus, all Ukrainian-registered vehicles, regardless of the year of manufacture, must undergo a technical inspection either in Romania (at RAR centers) or in Ukraine, depending on where they are actually used.

Cost of Technical Inspection for Ukrainian Cars in Romania: The cost of the technical inspection is around 411 lei (the price can be checked on the RAR website).

Additional Information: Vehicle inspections for foreign-registered cars in Romania include special requirements. For example, vehicles with red turn signals or installed xenon may be subject to specific rules. It is recommended to check these requirements on the RAR website or at local authorized centers.

Reports indicate that in smaller towns, authorities tend to be more lenient regarding minor violations of vehicle condition.

Some American cars were required to install a rear fog light because Romanian law mandates it for all vehicles.

This article will help you successfully pass the technical inspection for Ukrainian vehicles in Romania by adhering to all necessary requirements and preparing the necessary documents.