Why A Romanian Number Plate Is Important For Your Car

The process of getting a Romanian number plate is essential before driving on Romanian roads. 

This article will outline the procedure thoroughly, including the official costs and documents required to get a vehicle registered, after which the Romanian number plates can be gotten.

How Does The Romanian Car Registration System Work?

All vehicles registered for the first time in Romania must undergo traffic and road safety tests if they are intended for permanent use. These requirements apply to all new cars imported into Romania and vehicles purchased in Romania.

The import tax – in case the vehicle was imported – and the Value-Added Tax (VAT) must be paid before registering a vehicle in Romania. Import tax varies by automobile type and size, while the VAT is generally around 24% of the vehicle’s value.

The registration process to get a Romanian number plate can take some time as you have to go to several different offices to get all the required documents including:

• Certified Romanian translations of car procurement documents (invoices, proof of payment, etc.): Depends on the translator.
• VAT – 24% of the vehicle bill (for cars from non-EU countries or new cars from EU countries);
• Vehicle certification and technical inspections are carried out at the Romanian Automotive Register.

• Vehicle European Certificate of Conformity (COC):

A European Certificate of Conformity (COC) is a document that testifies that the vehicle satisfies the fundamental European traffic laws.

A COC is usually allocated by the vehicle’s manufacturer, however, EUROCOC can assist you to order and deliver it promptly to you, to speed up the whole procedure.

• Compulsory Automobile Insurance (RCA):

Its value depends on vehicle data (model year, engine, etc.) and information provided by the owner (model year, previous car accidents, etc.).

• Car registration tax
• Vehicle pollution tax (timbrul de mediu)
• Vehicle registration certificate
• License plate number (random number or pre-selected license plate).

How To Apply For Romanian Number Plates?

During the registration process, you will need to pay for Romanian number plates, on which your license number will be printed.

Cost Of Romanian Vehicle Registration

The Romanian number plate usually goes for €8 to €18, depending on the type of number chosen. There might be extra charges for special license plates.

Other fees include getting an official translation (€20 to €42), technical inspection (around €90), car registration tax (€12 to €30), and the car registration certificate (around €7).

What Do Romanian Car Number Plates Look Like?

One notable feature of Romanian plates is a blue stripe decorated with 12 yellow stars that form a circle. This stripe is located on the left side of a Romanian plate, and it denotes the EU flag or Euro band.

The euro flag on the Romanian plate shows that it is part of the European Union. Below the flag are the letters ‘RO’, which is the international vehicle registration code of Romania.

The majority of the European countries, including Romania have a common size for license plates – 520 mm x 110 mm (20.5 inches x 4.3 inches). In Romania, some car types such as SUVs have rear plates with dimensions of 340 mm x 200 mm (13.4 inches x 7.9 inches).

The rear Romanian plate usually has a circular label indicating the month and year the vehicle should be inspected. These tags have different background colours depending on the year displayed. Labels do not have a specific slot and can be placed anywhere, but the right side is often preferred.

Format Of Romanian Number Plates

The most common Romanian number plate usually consists of black-coloured letters and numbers on a white background.

The general format of characters is ‘CC 12 ABC’, where the first group of two letters, ‘CC’, is the country code, ‘12’ is a two-digit group, and the last group contains three letters, ‘ABC’.

Standard Romanian number plate letters and numbers are usually randomly assigned unless a customization fee is paid.

When a vehicle is to be scrapped or sold, its Romanian license plate is expected to be returned. However, the new owner of a vehicle can request to keep using the old license plate.

What Types Of Romanian License Plates Exist?

There are special Romanian plates that could be given upon request and provision of certain documents. These special Romanian license plates are usually for temporary plate owners and diplomats.

People who work with special organizations, electric car owners, and local administrators are also allowed to own exclusive plates, and this right allows them to apply special characters to their plates.

Romanian Custom Number Plates

If the desired combination is not already in use, a Romanian number plate can be customized, but your freedom is limited to choosing numbers and the final three uppercase letters alone.