Driving Permit for Moldova

Moldova is a contracting party to the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic, so it recognises both foreign driving licences issued by fellow convention countries and International Driving Permits issued under the 1968 convention. In practice, an IDP is recognised but not strictly required: the RAC confirms that UK photocard licence holders can drive on their licence alone, and EU/EEA licences are likewise accepted for short visits. If your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet, or was issued outside Europe — including US, Canadian and most Asian licences — carrying a 1968-convention IDP alongside your original licence is strongly recommended.

Traffic drives on the right, and the minimum driving age is 18 with a full, valid licence. Rental desks in Chisinau routinely ask non-European visitors for an IDP, and Moldovan traffic police run frequent document checks, so having the permit on hand avoids roadside disputes. If you bring your own foreign-registered vehicle across the border you must buy a road vignette — around €4 for visits of up to 7 days, per the RAC — and carry proof of insurance such as a Green Card.

Local rules are stricter than many visitors expect. The blood-alcohol limit is just 0.03%, with fines and possible imprisonment for offenders. Dipped headlights are compulsory day and night from 1 November to 31 March, winter tyres are mandatory from 1 December to 1 March, and a warning triangle must be carried. Any accident must be reported to the nearest police station within 2 hours. The UK FCDO notes that road quality varies and advises avoiding driving outside urban areas at night — and advises against all travel to breakaway Transnistria.