Romania E-Scooter Laws: Age 14, 25 km/h Cap, Sidewalk Ban (2026)
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited July 23, 2026). · 3 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
This article is general information about e-scooter laws in Romania and is not legal advice. For a specific fine, points penalty or accident case, confirm the current text with a Romanian avocat or with Politia Romana. Information last verified on 23 July 2026.
Are e-scooters legal in Romania?
Yes. E-scooters (trotinete electrice) are regulated nationwide under OUG 195/2002 (Codul rutier, the Road Traffic Code), specifically as amended by OUG 13/2020, which added the trotineta electrica definition. Rental operators including Bolt and Lime run legally in Bucharest and other major Romanian cities, alongside private ownership, and there is no national rental ban; Bucharest has added local parking and park-access rules on top of the national framework, but not a ban.
What counts as an e-scooter here
Article 6, point 10^1 of OUG 195/2002, as inserted by OUG 13/2020, defines an e-scooter as a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with a handlebar whose maximum speed by construction is more than 6 km/h but does not exceed 25 km/h. That 25 km/h figure comes from a direct read of the amending act's text.
This is worth flagging because a separate police communique used elsewhere in Romanian coverage cites a higher, 40 km/h ceiling in describing the same vehicle category. That 40 km/h figure does not match the device-definition language in OUG 13/2020 itself, which caps the definition at 25 km/h; this article follows the amending act's own text over the secondary police paraphrase for the device-definition figure.
E-scooters are exempt from vehicle registration under Article 12 of OUG 195/2002.
Where you can ride
Where a bike path exists, riders must use it. Where none exists, an e-scooter may only use roads with a speed limit of 50 km/h or less, keeping to the right edge, per Article 41(1). Sidewalks are prohibited for e-scooters, with one exception: where a marked bike path physically runs along the sidewalk, per Article 161 of the Regulamentul de aplicare (the implementing regulation) to OUG 195/2002.
Rider rules
The minimum age to operate an e-scooter on a public road is 14, under Article 70(2) of OUG 195/2002, confirmed both in the amending act's own text and in a Romanian traffic police communique. Helmets are mandatory for riders aged 14 to 16 while on the roadway, and only recommended, not required, for riders 16 and older.
Riding under the influence of alcohol or psychoactive substances is prohibited under Article 161 of the Regulamentul de aplicare. No specific blood-alcohol percentage figure for e-scooter riders was located in the texts reviewed for this article, so the exact threshold is not stated here; readers who need the precise number should confirm it against the current consolidated Codul rutier.
Penalties
| Violation category | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Lesser violations | 4 to 5 penalty points |
| Safety, alcohol or major violations | 6 to 8 penalty points |
| Accident causing injury | Criminal liability possible, in addition to points |
Enforcement in practice
Enforcement patterns do not change the legal status of a rule and are not permission to break it. Romania's penalty-point structure is substantial on paper, reaching as high as 8 points for the most serious violations. Despite that, sidewalk riding remains visibly common in Bucharest, according to Romanian traffic-police communications describing the gap between the written sidewalk ban and everyday rider behavior, which suggests street-level enforcement of the sidewalk rule specifically is inconsistent relative to what the code requires.
Romania's neighbor Bulgaria takes a notably lower-deterrent approach to e-scooter fines; see our full comparison of the region in our world e-scooter law guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum age to ride an e-scooter in Romania?
14 years old, under Article 70(2) of OUG 195/2002 (Codul rutier).
Can I ride an e-scooter on the sidewalk in Romania?
No, sidewalk riding is prohibited, with one exception: where a marked bike path physically runs along the sidewalk.
Is a helmet required for e-scooters in Romania?
Yes for riders aged 14 to 16 while on the roadway. For riders 16 and older, a helmet is recommended but not legally required.
What is the top speed for e-scooters in Romania?
The legal vehicle definition itself caps an e-scooter at 25 km/h by construction, under Article 6, point 10^1 of OUG 195/2002 as amended by OUG 13/2020.
Do I need to register an e-scooter in Romania?
No. E-scooters are exempt from vehicle registration under Article 12 of OUG 195/2002.
Are rental e-scooters like Bolt and Lime legal in Bucharest?
Yes, they operate legally in Bucharest and other major Romanian cities. Bucharest has added local parking and park-access rules, but there is no rental ban.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
Sources and References
- Politia Romana, Bihor county unit, official communique on e-scooter traffic rules(politiaromana.ro).gov
- Portal Legislativ (legislatie.just.ro), OUG 195/2002 Codul rutier consolidated text(legislatie.just.ro).gov
- Lege5.ro, full text of OUG 13/2020 amending OUG 195/2002 with the e-scooter definition(lege5.ro)
- Portal Legislativ (legislatie.just.ro), Regulamentul de aplicare a OUG 195/2002(legislatie.just.ro).gov