Rabla 2020: Guide to scrapping and replacing your car

The Rabla program, launched in 2005 by the Administrația Fondului de Mediu (AFM), offers owners of older cars the possibility to obtain government financial support to replace their vehicle with a less polluting one. It covers both passenger cars and light commercial vehicles and represents an effective solution for reducing traffic emissions.

The program operates on the principle of granting a discount on the purchase of a new vehicle in exchange for handing in and scrapping the old car. In 2020, the program was expanded with new facilities and eco-bonuses for low-emission vehicles.

Eligibility conditions for the Rabla program

To benefit from the Rabla program, you must meet the following mandatory conditions:

• Residency in Romania — documented by a valid identity document
• Absence of debts to the state — demonstrated by a tax attestation certificate
• Age of the car of at least 8 years — calculated from the date of first registration
• Functional technical condition of the vehicle to be scrapped

Mandatory technical components

The car intended for scrapping must contain all essential components in a functional state:

• Full and functional engine
• Intact chassis
• Drivetrain in working order
• Bodywork (may have damage, but must be present)
• Electronic equipment for managing the vehicle’s functions
• Catalytic converter, if factory-equipped

An important change compared to previous years is the elimination of the mandatory valid ITP (Periodic Technical Inspection), starting in 2019. This facilitates access to the program for owners of cars with expired ITP.

Steps to register in the Rabla program

1. Registration with an AFM-authorized automobile manufacturer

The first step is to contact an AFM-authorized automobile manufacturer. The full list of these manufacturers can be consulted on the official AFM site. At registration, you must present the following documents:

• Copy of the identity document (ID card)
• Legalized copy of the old vehicle’s registration certificate
• Legalized copy of the vehicle’s identity card
• Tax certificate for local taxes
• Personal use declaration of the scrapping grant or transfer to another person

The manufacturer will perform electronic registration in the system and will issue the enrollment note for the program.

2. Delivery and deregistration of the worn-out vehicle

After registration, you have 30 days to deliver the car to scrapping. The process includes:

• Contacting an authorized collector for dismantling the vehicle
• Obtaining the destruction certificate of the worn vehicle
• Deregistration from the circulation register based on the destruction certificate
• Submission to the dealer of the legalized copy of the destruction certificate and the original deregistration certificate

3. Purchase of the new vehicle

The final stage must be completed within a maximum of 120 days from the issuance of the enrollment note. At purchase, the manufacturer will automatically deduct the value of the scrapping grant from the price of the new car.

Types of Rabla programs available

Rabla Classic - main program

This component offers a scrapping bonus of 6,500 lei for each car delivered for scrapping. In addition, there are two eco-bonuses:

• Eco-bonus for reduced emissions: 1,000 lei additional for vehicles with emissions under 98 g CO₂/km; applies to engines with reduced fuel consumption; contributes to lowering the carbon footprint
• Eco-bonus for hybrid vehicles: 1,700 lei additional for vehicles with a hybrid propulsion system; applies to homologated hybrids; encourages adoption of modern propulsion technologies

Rabla Plus - for electric and hybrid vehicles

This newer program stimulates the purchase of zero-emission or very low-emission vehicles, without the mandatory scrapping of an old car:

• Eco-tickets available:
  • 20,000 lei for hybrid electric passenger cars
  • 45,000 lei for fully electric cars
• The programs can be combined with Rabla Classic

Accumulative advantages

If you own a car to scrap and want to buy a 100% electric car, you can benefit from:

• Scrapping bonus: 6,500 lei
• Rabla Plus eco-tickets: up to 45,000 lei
• Total: over 50,000 lei of financial support

Program flexibility

Transfer of the scrapping bonus

The scrapping bonus can be transferred to another person at the time of enrollment. This facility allows:

• Transfer of benefits to family members
• Use of the bonus for purchases in another person’s name
• Greater flexibility in planning the purchase

Multiple purchases

With a single participation in Rabla Classic, you can purchase multiple passenger cars, provided you deliver an old car for scrapping for each new purchase.

Important considerations

Deadlines to respect

• 30 days to deliver the car for scrapping after registration
• 120 days to finalize the purchase of the new vehicle
• Documents must be properly legalized

Environmental benefits

The Rabla program contributes significantly to:

• Reducing traffic-related pollutant emissions
• Improving urban air quality
• Stimulating the adoption of eco-friendly technologies in the auto industry
• Modernizing the national car fleet

The Rabla 2020 program represents an excellent opportunity to replace older cars with modern, safer, and more environmentally friendly vehicles, while benefiting from substantial state support.