Destinations / Moldova
Driving in Moldova as a visitor
Usually yes. Moldova expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Standard delivery included. Need it sooner? Express lands by for $25 more.
Reviewed July 2026 · A translation of your own licence, carried with it. Not a government permit.
What Moldova expects
| Permit needed | Expected |
|---|---|
| Convention format | 1968 Vienna |
| Valid for | Up to 3 years |
| Drives on the | Right |
| Emergency number | 112 |
| Top speed limit | 90 km/h open roads |
What the rental desk will ask you for
| Your own licence | The original card. A photo of it, or a photocopy, gets turned away. |
|---|---|
| Licence translation | Expected. Hand it over with the licence, never instead of it. |
| Booklet format they know | 1968 Vienna |
| Minimum age | 18. Under 25 usually pays a young-driver surcharge. |
| Deposit | A credit card in the driver's name. The hold is taken in MDL. |
Rules that catch visitors out
| Lights | Headlights on outside towns. |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Zero-tolerance alcohol policy. |
| Documents | Carry passport, IDP and home licence. |
On the road in Moldova
At the pump
Petrol (95/98), diesel and LPG are widely sold; stations are plentiful on main routes but sparse in rural wine regions, so fill up before heading to Orhei. Cards are accepted at branded stations; prices are set within a regulated band.
After a crash
Call 112 for police and ambulance. Do not move vehicles before police document the scene; an official police report (proces-verbal) is mandatory for any insurance or rental claim.
Sources: rac.co.uk · tollguru.com · tyremap.com · internationaldriversassociation.com
Common questions
Do you need an International Driving Permit in Moldova?
Usually yes. Moldova expects visiting drivers to carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence, and rental desks ask for one. It matters most when your licence is not printed in the Latin alphabet.
Which IDP format does Moldova accept?
Moldova recognises the 1968 Vienna format. Your permit is prepared in that format.
Will a rental desk in Moldova ask for one?
Chișinău desks ask for an IDP with non-EU licences.
How fast can you get one?
Express orders are emailed within 5 minutes. The exact delivery moment is quoted before you pay and the order is refundable for 30 days.