Romania implements new driving license suspension rules for unpaid fines

New regulations regarding unpaid traffic fines in Romania have entered into force as of August 27, 2026, under Government Emergency Ordinance no. 7/2026. The law stipulates that driving privileges may be suspended if a fine for a traffic contravention is not paid within a maximum of 90 days.

Implementation of this law faces legal complications. While the law is in effect, the methodological norms intended to clarify the 90-day calculation period—specifically whether the period begins from the issuance of the fine or the final court decision—were suspended by the Bucharest Court of Appeal. The court cited a lack of competence by the previous government to adopt such normative acts. This has created a legal paradox where the law is active, but its application rules are currently suspended.