Required Documents for Renting a Car in Romania

At a Glance

• Any car rental in Romania requires a valid ID document: an identity card or passport.
• Foreign visitors can use either document; a passport is not mandatory if a valid national ID is accepted.
• Driver's license must be Category B, valid, presented in original physical form, and typically held for at least 1 to 2 years.
• The security deposit is held on a bank card under the driver's name and released upon vehicle return.
• Many cars offer a 0 EUR deposit option, which is preferred by many customers; otherwise, deposits usually range up to around 2,000 EUR depending on the vehicle.
• Drivers from the United States and Canada can drive in Romania using their national license for short stays; an International Driving Permit becomes relevant only for stays longer than 6 months.
• EU driver's licenses are accepted directly.
• Minimum age starts at 20 years old, with a license held for at least one year and an additional daily fee for young drivers; select premium classes require drivers to be 23 or 25 years old. Exact conditions appear on each car's detail page.

To rent a car in Romania you need three basic documents: a valid ID (identity card or passport), a valid Category B driver's license, and a bank card in your name for holding the deposit. These are the standard requirements requested by rental companies across the country. Specific conditions, ranging from minimum driving history to minimum age and deposit amounts, vary from partner to partner and car to car. MasiniLaCheie compares offers from multiple rental agencies, so you can review exact terms displayed for each vehicle before making a booking. If your license was issued outside Romania, rules vary depending on the issuing country; you will find a dedicated section for international drivers below.

Required Documents Requested by Every Rental Company in Romania

Every car rental company in Romania asks for the same three basic documents, regardless of the vehicle chosen:

• Valid identity document
• Valid Category B driver's license: presented in physical original form at pickup, not as a photocopy or digital photo.
• Bank card in the main driver's name: used for holding the security deposit.

All documents must be unexpired and issued under the name of the primary driver. Alongside these documents, two key factors determine eligibility:

• Minimum age: starting from 20 years old, provided the license has been held for at least one year and a daily young driver fee is paid. Certain vehicle classes (premium or large-capacity cars) require drivers to be 23 or 25 years old.
• Driving history: detailed in the following section.

Both conditions are verified using the physical documents presented at pickup.

Driver's License: Minimum History and Accepted Types

A Category B driver's license is the standard requirement for regular city and family cars, and most agencies require drivers to have held their license for 1 to 2 years from the date of issue. The required timeframe depends on the partner and vehicle class:

• Economy models: the threshold is often one year.
• Premium, sport, or high-value cars: frequently two years or more, as the owner assumes higher financial risk.

Useful rules regarding driver's licenses:

• Must be presented in physical original at pickup; phone photos or printed copies are not accepted because the agency verifies the physical document and logs it into the rental contract.
• A Romanian driver's license or one issued in an European Union member state is accepted directly without extra paperwork.
• Driving history thresholds vary, so check the specific car's booking page before reserving to ensure you meet all requirements for that specific model.

Identity Card vs. Passport: When Each Is Required

At vehicle pickup, the company requires a valid ID document to draft the contract and confirm that the driver listed matches the license holder. What you present depends on your country of residence:

• Drivers residing in Romania: national identity card (buletin).
• Foreign visitors: passport or national identity card, whichever serves as valid official identification during their stay.

In both cases, the document must be unexpired: an expired document results in pickup refusal, even if your license and payment card are valid. The name on your ID, driver's license, and bank card must match, as all three link to the primary driver listed in the contract.

Bank Cards in the Driver's Name and Their Role at Pickup

A bank card in the primary driver's name is required to hold the security deposit. Even for vehicles featuring a 0 EUR deposit option, a valid card remains necessary for booking authorization and verification at pickup. What you need to know:

• Card types: most partners accept both credit cards and debit cards.
• Cardholder name: the card must belong to the primary driver; cards issued in someone else's name are routinely rejected at pickup.
• Deposit amount: many vehicles offer a 0 EUR deposit option, preferred by many customers. When a deposit is required, it typically ranges up to around 2,000 EUR depending on vehicle class and value, clearly listed on each car's detail page.
• Release terms: on MasiniLaCheie, deposits are handled directly with the vehicle owner and released upon return, provided the vehicle is brought back in the same condition.

Documents for International Tourists and Non-EU Licenses

Foreign driver's licenses are accepted in Romania, but requirements depend on the country that issued the license.

Identity documentation for foreign visitors can be a passport or national ID card, while age and driving history requirements remain identical to those applied to Romanian drivers.

The distinction lies in the license itself: national documents are sufficient for some countries, while others require supplementary documentation. Romania maintains stricter rules than some neighboring states regarding non-EU licenses, so check your category before setting off.

Licenses Issued in the EU and EEA

Driver's licenses issued in any European Union or European Economic Area country (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) are recognized directly in Romania. You do not need an International Driving Permit or official translation: simply present your original national license alongside your passport or national ID card. Standard minimum age and driving history requirements apply as shown on each car's detail page.

US and Canadian Licenses and International Driving Permits

Drivers holding licenses issued in the United States or Canada can drive in Romania using their national driver's license without an International Driving Permit (IDP) for standard tourist stays. At pickup, present your passport and original national driver's license. An IDP or license exchange becomes necessary only if you remain in Romania for longer than 6 months. Full details regarding international permits and specific scenarios are explained in our dedicated guide: Everything you need to know about the international driving permit in Romania.

Key takeaways:

• For short stays: a valid passport and original national driver's license are sufficient for US and Canadian drivers.
• For stays over 6 months: additional regulations apply, as outlined in the guide linked above.

Driver's Licenses from Other Non-EU States

For licenses issued in other non-EU countries, standard expectations include an International Driving Permit alongside the original national license and passport. Select partners may accept a certified legal translation of the national license in place of an IDP, but requirements vary by agency. Because policies are not uniform, verify conditions displayed on the car's detail page or check with the partner prior to booking so you know exactly which documents will be requested at pickup.

Certified Legal Translations: When They Are Required

A certified legal translation is an official translation performed by an authorized translator and notarized, allowing the rental agency to read and verify document details. This is typically required for licenses written in non-Latin scripts or issued by countries lacking international permit agreements. In many cases, a valid International Driving Permit eliminates the need for a certified translation. When uncertain about what applies to your situation, confirm with the partner prior to booking.

Additional Drivers: Required Documentation

If another individual will be driving the vehicle, they must be registered in the rental contract and provide the same documentation as the primary driver:

• Valid, unexpired identity document.
• Valid Category B driver's license meeting the same age and driving history requirements.

Every additional driver must be declared at pickup and verified on site. Two crucial points to remember:

• Insurance validity: an undeclared driver operating the vehicle voids insurance coverage in the event of an accident, leaving financial liability entirely on you.
• Costs: select partners charge a nominal daily fee for an additional driver, while others include one free of charge; applicable fees are displayed on the vehicle's detail page.

Inspection Guidelines During Vehicle Return

Upon return, the vehicle is inspected against the initial pickup condition report, after which the security deposit hold is released. The partner inspects three key areas:

• Vehicle condition: exterior bodywork and interior cleanliness, compared against pickup condition notes.
• Fuel level: returned at the same fuel level recorded at pickup.
• Contract terms: return location and agreed mileage allowance.

The vehicle should be returned reasonably clean, with matching fuel levels at the agreed location and time. If everything checks out, the full deposit held on your card is released. In cases of damage or missing fuel, the owner retains part or all of the deposit depending on severity, returning any remaining balance. The contract signed at pickup, linked to your ID and license, serves as the legal baseline for this check.

Summary: What to Verify Before Booking

Before completing your reservation, review the vehicle's detail page for two conditions that vary most often: required driving history and deposit amount. If you meet the driving experience criteria and have your ID, original driver's license, and bank card ready in your name, pickup is quick and seamless.

For non-EU drivers, verify in advance whether your national license is directly accepted or if supplementary documentation is requested; US and Canadian drivers can drive using their national licenses for short stays. All other details, from pickup points to fuel policies, are finalized directly in your rental agreement at pickup.