The first thing almost everyone gets wrong: they think winter tyres become mandatory on a given date. They do not. Romanian law ties the obligation to the state of the road, not to the calendar — and that changes how you prepare for winter driving in Romania completely.
The rule is simple but widely misunderstood, and the fine for missing it comfortably clears 1,800 lei. Let us clear it up, along with what actually matters on mountain roads when it snows.
What the law says, exactly
Under GEO 195/2002, supplemented by GO 5/2011, you are required to have winter tyres when driving on public roads covered with snow, ice or black ice. The calendar date is irrelevant, and so is whether you are in town or on a national road.
What that means in practice:
- On 15 December, on dry tarmac, you may legally drive on summer tyres.
- On that same day, if black ice sets in, you are breaking the law without winter tyres.
The police look at the conditions at that moment, not at what your street was like in the morning. And in winter conditions change fast — especially on bridges, in shaded spots and in mountain passes, where ice appears first.
What counts as a "winter" tyre
Not every tyre qualifies. To count as a winter tyre, it must carry the M+S marking together with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol.
Watch out for a common trap: many all-season tyres carry only the M+S marking, without the snowflake. Those may not be considered compliant on a snow-covered road and can leave you with a fine. If you want one set for the whole year, get an all-season tyre that also carries the 3PMSF snowflake.
How big is the fine
Driving without winter tyres on a road covered with snow, ice or black ice falls into penalty class IV: between 9 and 20 penalty points. At the current value of 202.5 lei per point, that means roughly 1,822 to 4,050 lei.
On top of that — and this is the unpleasant part — the officer can withhold the registration certificate and issue you a receipt without the right to drive until you fit suitable tyres. In other words, you stay put.
When to switch to winter tyres
Since the law gives you no date, use the practical rule: switch when daytime temperatures drop below 7°C for several days in a row. Below that threshold summer rubber hardens and loses grip even on dry tarmac. Do not wait for the first snowfall — every garage is booked solid by then.
If you are renting a car in the cold season, check at pickup that it has winter tyres with the correct marking. Serious companies equip their cars for winter, but it is worth confirming from the start, alongside the rest of your checks.
On mountain roads
A few things that matter more than the law, when it snows properly:
- Drive smoothly. Sudden braking and acceleration equal a skid. Anticipate and leave double the distance.
- Snow chains can be mandatory on certain signposted mountain roads, especially for larger vehicles. Check the signs.
- Check the weather and road conditions before setting off — passes can close.
- Full tank and a charged phone. In the mountains, a blocked queue can last hours.
Many of the spectacular roads — the Transalpina, the Transfăgărășan — are closed in winter anyway, so plan your route around the season.
In short
- Winter tyres are mandatory only on snow, ice or black ice — not from a fixed date.
- Correct marking: M+S plus the 3PMSF snowflake; all-season with M+S alone may not comply.
- Fine: ~1,822–4,050 lei plus a withheld registration certificate.
- Practical rule: switch when it is below 7°C during the day, several days running.
- On a rental car, confirm at pickup that winter tyres are fitted.
- In the mountains: drive smoothly, check the weather, keep the tank full.
If you are coming in winter and want to skip the hassle, the simplest thing is to start with a car that is already properly equipped. See our fleet — full insurance is included and the cars are prepared for the season, so all you deal with is the road.
