- Each penalty point equals 145 lei, 10% of gross minimum wage.
- Fines for speeding range 290–2,900 lei depending on excess speed.
- Exceeding by 10–20 km/h: 2–3 points; license suspension at 15.
- Localities 50 km/h; national roads 90 km/h; European roads incomplete.
Speeding is one of the most common traffic violations in Romania, and the financial and administrative consequences can be substantial. The Romanian penalty system sets fines based on penalty points, each point representing 10% of the gross minimum wage — currently 145 lei.
Understanding this penalty system is essential for every driver, because in addition to fines, penalty points are added to the driving license, and accumulating them can lead to the suspension of the driving license.
How penalties for speeding are calculated in Romania
Penalty fines are established in an amount determined by the value of the penalty points applied depending on the case. One penalty point represents 10% of the gross minimum wage, set by the Government. Since 2018 and to date, one penalty point is worth 145 lei.
This system means that the fine for excessive speed will be directly proportional to the number of penalty points you will receive. If you have exceeded the allowed speed limit on the road section you are on, you may receive a fine ranging from 290 to 2,900 lei.
Fines based on speeding exceedance
Exceeding by 10-20 km/h
If you were caught driving 10-20 km/h above the allowed speed you will receive 2-3 penalty points. This means you will owe a fine between 290 and 435 lei. In addition, 2 penalty points are added. At 15 points accumulated, your driving license will be suspended for 30 days.
Exceeding by 21-30 km/h
Have you exceeded the speed limit by 21-30 km/h? Then you will have 4 or 5 penalty points, i.e., a speeding fine of 580 or 725 lei. In addition you will accumulate 3 penalty points.
Exceeding by 31-40 km/h
Were you caught by the radar team at 31-40 km/h above the speed limit? You receive 6 or 8 penalty points and 4 penalty points on your license. In addition you will pay a fine between 870 and 1,160 lei.
Exceeding by 41-50 km/h
If you exceeded the speed limit by 41-50 km/h you will receive from 9 to 20 penalty points. You will need to pay to the state between 1,305 and 2,900 lei. In addition you will accumulate 6 penalty points.
Exceeding by more than 50 km/h
If you exceed the speed limit by more than 50 km/h, your driving license will be retained for 90 days and you will have to pay a speeding fine between 1,305 lei and 3,190 lei. In addition you will accumulate between 9 and 20 penalty points on your driving license.
Penalties for too slow speed
In addition to the above, you should know that drivers traveling on public roads at least 10 km/h below the speed limit may face fines between 290 lei and 335 lei, plus 2-3 penalty points.
This measure may seem surprising, but driving too slowly can be as dangerous as speeding, creating obstacles in traffic and unanticipated situations for other road users.
Legal speed limits in Romania
To avoid fines, it is essential to know the legal speed limits on different types of roads in Romania:
- Localities: 50 km/h
- National roads: 90 km/h
- European roads: 100 km/h
- Motorways: 130 km/h
Penalty points system
The penalty points system works as follows:
- Upon accumulating 15 points, the license is suspended for 30 days
- Suspension also applies for certain serious contraventions (such as exceeding by more than 50 km/h)
- Points are automatically cleared after a period, depending on the severity of the contravention
Impact of speed on road safety
We all have emergencies and want to reach our destination quickly, but rushing on highways at extreme speeds does not guarantee we will reach there safely. Studies show that:
- The risk of an accident increases exponentially with speed
- Braking distance doubles with each significant increase in speed
- The severity of accidents is directly proportional to the impact speed
We must be civil, and if everyone respected traffic rules, speed limits, and we drove at the legal speed, traffic would be much more pleasant and safer for all road users.
Conclusion
Respecting speed limits is not only a legal obligation but also a moral responsibility for your safety and that of others. Fines and penalty points are administrative consequences—the real stake is safety on public roads.