Romania to suspend driver licences for unpaid traffic fines

The Romanian Government approved the methodological rules for implementing the suspension of driving rights when traffic contraventional fines remain unpaid. The measures stem from Emergency Ordinance no. 7/2026 and were adopted on 9 July. Local tax authorities, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Internal Affairs will coordinate through the PatrimVen electronic system, which automatically exchanges data with the national licence‑record database.

Drivers receive a payment summons within 30 days of the fine’s registration and are given a 90‑day deadline to settle the amount. If the fine is not fully paid, suspension days are calculated at one day for every 50 lei remaining unpaid, without fractions. The suspension starts at 00:00 on the third working day after the 90‑day period expires and ends at 24:00 on the last calculated day. The rule applies only to fines issued after the ordinance takes effect; older fines are excluded. The suspension is recorded digitally rather than by physically removing the licence, and it can be lifted immediately if the debt is cleared or partially paid before the deadline.

The government also mandated a standardised payment‑summons form to be approved within 30 days and clarified that the 90‑day period is paused while a fine is under legal contestation, ensuring the right to a fair process.