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How many months can license suspension be reduced through reexamination
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How many months can license suspension be reduced through reexamination

26 Dec 2025 · Updated: 30 Dec 2025
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Summary
  • Reexamination lets eligible drivers shorten license suspensions after a theoretical exam.
  • Contravention suspensions range 30 to 120 days, depending on offense.
  • Minimum 60-day suspension required to qualify for the reexamination option.
  • Drivers with 30-day suspensions cannot apply for reduction.

Romania’s road legislation has undergone significant changes in recent years, and one of the most important reforms targets the possibility of shortening the period of driving license suspension. This measure gives drivers sanctioned a second chance to demonstrate their knowledge and return to the road faster, provided they meet strict criteria.

The changes aim to balance road safety with rehabilitation, ensuring that those who made mistakes have the opportunity to prove they have learned from their mistakes and to regain their driving privileges.

Current legislative context regarding license suspension

Over the past years, Romania’s traffic laws have tightened considerably in direct response to the alarmingly high number of road accidents. The changes have led to substantial increases in fines and to stricter penalties by suspending the right to drive for multiple offenses, with periods varying significantly depending on the gravity of the offense.

There are very few situations in which license suspension is final. These occur mostly when a fatal accident has been caused or when the driver has consumed illegal substances, after which they were involved in a serious road incident. Otherwise, penalties are of a contravention nature, and may include a suspension of the right to drive for a period between 30 and 120 days, depending on the severity of the offense.

How the suspension reduction works

For several years, Romanian road legislation has offered the possibility that people with a suspended driving license can take the theoretical exam again. Depending on the result of this exam, the duration of the license suspension can be significantly modified, giving the driver a chance to return to the wheel more quickly.

Types of violations and initial suspension duration

There are a multitude of offenses for which a driving license can be suspended, and the period during which one cannot drive depends directly on the type of offense committed:

Low-to-moderate offenses (30-60 days):

  • Failing to yield the right of way
  • Performing a prohibited maneuver
  • Overtaking on a solid line
  • Driving on the wrong side of the road
  • Disregarding the meaning of a red traffic light

Serious offenses (90-120 days or more):

  • Alcohol consumption while driving
  • Drug use while driving
  • Causing an accident with victims
  • Refusal to submit to alcohol or drug testing
  • Excessive speed (over 50 km/h in urban areas)

For the most serious offenses, such as consuming banned substances or causing an accident with victims, the suspension period can reach years.

Eligibility conditions for reexamination

The exam for regaining the driving license can be taken only by drivers who meet certain strict conditions, designed to ensure this facility is not abused.

Mandatory requirements

Minimum suspension duration: The right to drive must be suspended for at least 60 days. People whose license was suspended for only 30 days cannot apply for this reduction option.

Driving experience: Applicants must have held a driving license for at least 12 months before the offense. This ensures the driver has sufficient experience and understands traffic rules.

Suspension history: You must not have had the license suspended in the two years preceding the current offense. This measure discourages repeated offenses.

Reexamination frequency: You must not have taken this type of exam in the last three years. The rule prevents repeated use of this facility.

Registration and taking the examination procedure

Important deadlines

Registration for the reexamination must be completed within the first 30 days after the 15-day validity of the provisional driving permit expires. Meeting this deadline is essential, as failure to appear within the established period may result in losing the right to take the exam.

Financial advantages

One positive aspect of this reduction option is that no fee is required to take the exam. This represents a considerable saving compared to the costs associated with reinstatement through standard procedures.

Structure of the reexamination exam

Unlike the standard exam taken by candidates obtaining a license for the first time, the reexamination has a simplified structure:

Number of questions: 15 questions from road legislation

Passing threshold: Minimum 13 correct answers (about 87% of total)

No practical exam: The practical driving test is not required

Covered domains:

  • Traffic rules
  • Meaning of road signs
  • Priorities in traffic
  • Legal speeds
  • Behavior in special situations

Benefits of passing the exam

If the exam is successfully passed, the license suspension period can be significantly reduced, allowing the driver to return to the wheel sooner. This reduction can make the difference between a long period without driving and a quicker resumption of normal activity.

Recommendations for preparation

Although the exam contains only 15 questions, the passing threshold is high (13 correct answers). To maximize your chances of success:

  • Study the updated road regulations thoroughly
  • Pay close attention to recent legislative changes
  • Practice on similar online tests
  • Review the situations that led to the initial suspension
  • Do not underestimate the difficulty of the exam

This legislative facility represents a valuable opportunity for drivers who committed offenses, giving them the chance to show that they learned from their mistakes and are prepared to comply with traffic regulations.