In the current legislative context in Romania, there are certain categories of vehicles that can be driven without requiring a driver’s license. This situation is primarily regulated by Emergency Ordinance no. 195 of December 12, 2002, on traffic on public roads, with subsequent amendments and additions.
According to the legislation in force in Romania, the vehicles that can be driven without a license include:
– bicycles;
– electric scooters, and
– mopeds (whose maximum speed by construction is less than 25 km/h).
However, it is important to emphasize that the absence of the need for a driver’s license does not equate to a lack of regulation or responsibility. On the contrary, the law establishes strict conditions and specific obligations for the drivers of these vehicles.
Regarding the minimum age required to drive these vehicles, Article 70 of the aforementioned Emergency Ordinance sets clear criteria. To operate a moped on public roads, the law stipulates a minimum age of 16 years.
For bicycles and electric scooters, the legal minimum age is 14 years.
These age limits have been set considering the drivers’ ability to understand and react, as well as the potential risks associated with participating in traffic.
Romanian legislation pays particular attention to the traffic safety of the drivers of these vehicles. In this regard, Article 70, paragraph (3), stipulates the mandatory requirement for bicycles, mopeds, and electric scooters traveling on public roads to be equipped with lighting devices and reflective fluorescent elements. Moreover, traveling at night without these properly functioning devices is strictly prohibited. This provision aims to increase the visibility of these vehicles in low-light conditions, thereby reducing the risk of accidents.
An important aspect of the regulations concerns the use of protective equipment. According to paragraph (4) of the same article, wearing a protective helmet is mandatory for bicycle and electric scooter riders under the age of 16 when traveling on the roadway. This measure aims to protect the most vulnerable traffic participants, recognizing the increased risks minors face in road traffic.
Additionally, the legislator deemed it necessary to introduce an explicit prohibition on carrying passengers on electric scooters, as stipulated in paragraph (5) of Article 70. This provision aims to prevent overloading these vehicles and reduce the risks associated with transporting passengers on a vehicle designed for a single person.
It is important to mention that although these vehicles can be driven without a license, their drivers are required to comply with the general traffic rules applicable to all road users. This includes obeying road signs, yielding the right of way, and adjusting speed to traffic conditions.
