Toll roads in Romania
In Romania, a valid motorway vignette (rovinieta) is required for driving on all motorways and national roads, regardless of the distance travelled. The vignette serves as a mandatory road tax for all vehicles using the public road network managed by the Romanian National Road Infrastructure Company (CNAIR). Only local roads within municipalities are exempt from this requirement.
The vignette system was introduced to help finance the maintenance, modernization, and expansion of Romania’s road network, one of the most extensive in Eastern Europe. It connects every major region of the country, from the capital Bucharest and the mountain passes of Transylvania, to Constanța on the Black Sea coast and border crossings with Hungary, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Moldova.
Toll regulations apply across all main categories of roads: motorways (A), expressways (DEx), and national roads (DN). Each route is clearly marked with signs displaying the road number and category. As soon as you drive onto one of these marked roads, you must have a valid vignette linked to your license plate.
Romanian motorways
Romania’s motorway network is expanding quickly, linking the capital with all major regions and border crossings. Each motorway is marked with an A and requires a valid vignette:
A0 circles Bucharest and links to all main inbound routes. The southern section is open, while the northern part is still under construction.
A1 runs from Bucharest through Pitești, Sibiu, Deva, Timișoara and Arad to Nădlac on the Hungarian border. It forms the country’s main corridor to Central Europe.
A2 connects Bucharest with Constanța on the Black Sea coast. Fully operational and one of Romania’s busiest routes during summer.
A3 leads from Bucharest and Ploiești north through Brașov, Cluj-Napoca and Oradea to Borș on the Hungarian border. Several sections are already in use, while others are being built.
A4 bypasses Constanța, easing coastal traffic and linking the port area with the A2 motorway.
A5 is a planned route from Bucharest to Giurgiu on the Bulgarian border, designed to improve southern access.
A6 will connect Timișoara, Craiova and Alexandria with Bucharest, offering a new west–south route across Oltenia.
A7 known as the “Moldova Motorway,” connects Ploiești, Buzău, Bacău and Suceava to Siret near the Ukrainian border. Several sections are already open.
A8 is the future east–west route between Târgu Mureș in Transylvania and Iași and Ungheni on the Moldovan border.
A9 will link Timișoara with Moravița and the Serbian border.
A10 connects Sebeș, Alba Iulia and Turda, linking the A1 and A3. It is fully operational.
A11 runs between Arad and Oradea, connecting western Romania with Hungary. Some sections are already open.
A13 will link Sibiu and Brașov, continuing east to Onești and Răcăciuni on the A7.
A14 runs across northern Romania from Botoșani through Suceava, Baia Mare and Satu Mare to Oar on the Hungarian border.
Romanian expressways
Romania’s expressway network is expanding rapidly, providing faster links between major cities and complementing the motorway system. All expressways marked with a DEx prefix require a valid vignette:
DEx1 Bessarabia Expressway connects Mărășești, Bârlad and Albița near the Moldovan border. Planned as an alternative corridor between Bucharest and Chișinău.
DEx4 Someș Expressway links Petreștii de Jos, Cluj-Napoca, Gherla and Dej. The first section between Petreștii de Jos and Tureni opened in July 2025.
DEx6 Danube Expressway will connect the junction with A4 near Brăila to Galați, improving access to the eastern Danube crossings.
DEx7 Bukovina Expressway will link Suceava with Siret, creating a faster route to the Ukrainian border.
DEx8 Dobruja Expressway runs from Brăila to Tulcea, Constanța and Mangalia. The Constanța bypass (22 km) is operational, while the remaining sections are under design.
DEx11 Crișana Expressway will connect Arad, Chișineu-Criș, Solonta and Oradea, linking western Romania to Hungary.
DEx12 Oltenia Expressway runs from Pitești through Slatina to Craiova. Fully operational since July 2025, it forms a key route in southern Romania.
DEx14 Horea, Cloșca and Crișan Expressway will connect Satu Mare and Oar, improving access to the Hungarian border.
DEx16 Oradea Bypass links the Oradea Ring Expressway with the A3. Fully operational since 2024, it offers a fast alternative around the city.
Romanian national roads
In addition to motorways and expressways, all DN national roads in Romania also require a valid vignette. These roads connect cities, regional centres and border crossings, forming the backbone of the country’s transport network. Signs for DN roads are red with a white number. Once you join any DN route, your vignette must be active.
Toll-free sections in Romania
While the Romania vignette (rovinieta) is mandatory on all motorways (A), expressways (DEx) and national roads (DN), there are a few specific cases where it’s not required.
These toll-free sections mainly include:
Parts of national roads (DN) that pass through towns or cities, between the official “entry” and “exit” signs of the municipality.
Local roads managed by city or county authorities (communal or municipal routes).
Once you leave an urban area and re-enter a tolled section, your vignette must be valid and active, even if you’ve only driven a short distance.
Romania’s toll system is designed for vehicles travelling on intercity and long-distance routes, so if you’re driving only within a city, a vignette is generally not required. However, for any trip beyond the local area, make sure your vignette is registered and active before starting your journey.
