Moldova International Driver's License FAQ

International Driving Permit is a translation of your national driving license, and it is your ticket to rent a car in republic of Moldova. An IDP is an essential document to avoid any trouble when driving to Moldova. International driving permit is issued in accordance with the requirements of the International Convention on Road Traffic

Is Driving in Moldova from the UK Allowed?

If you are coming from the United Kingdom, you are allowed to enter and drive in Moldova. You need to present a few documents for driving in Moldova from the UK: a car registration, valid insurance (Green Card), your UK driving licence, and passport. If you are not the owner, there should be notarized written permission from the owner to drive it.

Keep in mind that driving in Moldova from the UK without a visa is allowed. The motor vehicle must be declared at the customs authority at republic of Moldova's point of entry. You can use your UK car and drive in Moldova for a maximum of 90 days within 365 days from the first entry date.

Can I Drive in Moldova With a Local License?

Members of the European Union countries and the United Kingdom are allowed to drive with only the local driver’s license. Your local license will serve as your driving licence in Moldova. For citizens from other foreign countries who plan on driving in Moldova, requirements like an IDP must be provided so rental car agencies will accommodate you. Your IDP and local driving licence in Moldova must always go together to avoid getting into trouble.

Do I need IDP to rent a car?

Driving in foreign countries, most car rental companies require you to secure an International Driving Permit in Moldova. If you wish to drive, your driver’s license and international driving permit in Moldova are requirements that you need to present to rent a car. Some car rental agencies might ask for a credit card.

How to apply for international driving permit for Moldova?

You can apply for IDP without taking an exam or driving test. To start your application for an international driver’s permit in Moldova, click on "start application" button on our website. You will need to enter your contact details, upload your national driver’s license and 2 passport-sized photos. 

After you submitted your application form, the IDA team will review and approve it within two hours. You will then receive the digital copy of your international driver’s permit through the email address you provided.

Which Countries Recognize International Driver’s Permit?

Your International Driving Permit is valid in over 150 countries worldwide such as Austria, Bulgaria, Brazil, Czech Republic, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Montenegro, Morocco, Poland, South Africa, Switzerland, Ukraine, and many more Your IDP is not a replacement for your local driving license. It is a translation of your local license to 12 UN-recognized languages. If you explore the country by car without your IDP and driving license, Moldova authorities will not tolerate such action and will get you in trouble.

Most Important Driving Rules in Moldova

When driving in Moldova, it's good to know the Moldovan driving rules. Some rules might be new to you, while others might be familiar. Still, it's always a good idea to review the Moldovan driving rules before your trip. This way, you can enjoy your time in this small European country without any problems on the road.

Don’t forget to carry required documents

One can’t enter or travel to another country with lacking documents. Make sure to prepare everything before traveling and driving in Moldova. Preparing your documents like driver’s license, passport, visa, and international driver’s license in Moldova will test your patience, especially if some of them are expired. So you need to renew them before you head out. The IDA offers a free replacement service for international driving permits in case of loss or damage.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol Strictly Prohibited

One of the leading causes of deaths in road accidents in Moldova is drunk driving; thus, zero tolerance is implemented with driving under the influence of alcohol. Authorities have the right to stop you from driving if they think you are driving while drunk. You will surely be fined and might be jailed depending on the severity of the offense.

Obey the Speed Limit Rule

Over speeding is another main reason for road accidents in Moldova, as some drivers, especially on rural roads, tend to overspeed because of lesser cars traveling. You can drive at a maximum speed of 50 KPH in rural areas, 80 KPH in urban and cities, and 110 KPH on motorways. There are speed cameras all over the country that will identify over speeding vehicles.

Wearing Seatbelt and Securing Child’s Safety

Everyone inside the vehicle must use seat belts while driving in Moldova. Children twelve years old below are not allowed to sit in the front seat, and those under seven years old must be in a car seat. There are highway patrol police on the roadside, so you might be fined for not following this rule if you are caught.

Using Handheld Phones While Driving Is Not Allowed

If you think you need to answer an important email or an important call, park your car somewhere safe and do so. You cannot navigate through your phone and on Moldovan roads simultaneously because it is illegal and prone to accidents. You can use the hands-free system instead.

Be Vigilant in Rural Roads

Animals crossing the streets, cyclists, horse carriages are just some of the things you have to consider when driving in rural areas. This is the main reason why you need to focus solely on driving and not on other things. The road conditions can deteriorate as you go along through rural roads, potholes are frequent on some, so you need to be cautious.

Top Destinations in Moldova

Traveling from one destination to another is never burdensome for those driving in Moldova. Most attractions here can be driven within two to three hours. The less time travel, the more time you will have to explore every scenery in the country.

Ștefan cel Mare Central Park

Before heading out to the rural areas of Moldova, you can drive and spend some time in Chisinau, Moldova’s capital. Here lies one of the largest parks in the country that spans about seven hectares. The park is home to 50 species of trees, some acacia, and mulberries; here are 130 and 180-year-olds. The park is open 24 hours, and the view at night is much more dramatic and romantic at the same time.

This was initially built and laid out in 1818 by engineers of the Russian military during Alexander I’s reign. The park has gained its nickname “The Park of the Lovers” since it is mostly used as a meeting place for couples. You can also spend your alone time here if you are traveling solo. You can also try local and international food as the park also houses restaurants, cafes, and other eating places.

National Museum Of Ethnography And Natural History

This museum was founded in 1889 and is now Moldova’s oldest museum. Initially, it was built as an agricultural museum but later expanded to study Bessarabian culture. The interiors present two sections where history enthusiasts will appreciate. The first section shows the country’s flora and fauna and its transformation over the years. Another section was made to exhibit the Moldovan people and their traditions, making visitors glimpse the evolution of Moldovan ethnicity.

Some pieces you will see inside the museum include paleontological, geological, zoological, ethnographic, archaeological, and numismatic collections. Never miss the full skeleton of a mastodon (Deinotherium Gigantismus), one of the largest mammals that ever lived on the earth seven million years ago. A botanical garden and zoo are also nearby where reptiles and birds from all over the world can be seen. The museum opens Tuesday-Monday from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Orheiul Vechi

This valley, shaped by the Raut River with pure natural beauty, is considered one of the most unusual sights in Moldova. Orheiul Vechi, known as Old Orhei, is an archeological, cultural, and historical complex featuring huge limestone outcroppings. Several monuments and buildings can be found in the valley from different historical periods, dating back from the 10th century to BC until the Golden Horde occupation in the 14th century AD.

A museum was built to provide details and additional information about the palace and to hold exhibits. A monastery nearby is called the Vechi Monastery Complex, which is carved into a huge limestone cliff. Orheiul Vechi is open most of the day but is closed at night when the cave monastery is closed.

Tipova Monastery

Tipova Monastery was formed from rocks along the Dniester River banks that have been dug out. It has three main complexes; the oldest is the Church of the Feast of the Holy Cross, built in the 11th century. Other complexes include the Church of St. Nicolas in the 14th century and the Horodiste built in the 16th century. About 20 monks stay here as every cave has a monk’s cells.

It was believed that Christians used to take refuge from the Tartar during their invasion in the 13th century. You can stroll along with the Monastery, appreciate nature, and at the end of your hike are waterfalls on Tipova River. There is no specific time when the monastery opens for tourists, but you can visit here in daylight.

Soroca

Continue exploring Moldova’s ancient history through Soroca. It is a city of Moldova that sits on the Dniester River, holding a significant role in the country’s history. It houses the Soroca Fortress built in the 14th century by princes to solidify their position against the invaders. The armies defended the country well from this vantage point during wars and sieges.

There is a large Roma community in the city, having Soroca as the unofficial capital of Roma. You can walk through the mansions of the Roma elite lining along the streets of the city’s central. You might want to consider visiting Soroca during May, June, and September, where good weather with pleasant average temperatures is most likely experienced.

Saharna

Saharna is famous for the Holy Trinity Monastery. The place is scenic and peaceful, making it a destination for pilgrimages by Moldovans. Here you can see a footprint on a rock, believed to be by the Virgin Mary. Enjoy the place by walking around the area and explore one of the 22 waterfalls in this small village. The most famous is the Gipsy Hole. The monastery opens daily from 6:45 AM to 8 PM and additional opening hours on Fridays from midnight to 2:45 AM.

Gagauzia

Turkey mostly influences the culture of the people in the Gagauzia region. The region is an autonomous non-contiguous stretch of land composed of three towns and 27 villages. People living here are mostly Christians; however, their ancestors are Muslim refugees who took flight from war and looked for a place to stay and live. They were allowed to remain in the region only if they converted.

Comrat, which is Gagauzia’s capital, houses the Comrat Regional History Museum, and through this, get a glimpse of what daily life is in the region. Explore its capital, walk around parks, statues and churches. If you plan to drive to the countryside, make friends with hospitable locals and taste local produce. You may want to visit Gagauzia from May to August, where expected rains are minimal.

Reservation Codru

This reserve lies in the heart of Moldova and is considered the oldest and one of the more popular reservations in the country. This natural scientific reservation in Codru was founded in 1971 with about 1000 species of plants, 52 mammal species, eight reptile species, ten amphibious, 151 bird species, and about 8 thousand insects. There is the “Nature Museum,” where all species of animals, birds, reptiles, bugs, and butterflies that live in Moldova are represented in the reserve. You can visit the reservation from May to September, where there is less rainfall.

Pădurea Domnească Natural Reservation

This natural reserve is located in Glodeni and is the largest reserve in Moldova. Situated on the Prut River banks and bounded by Romania on the other side, Pădurea Domnească covers about 6,032 hectares of land area in Moldova. It is the home of the country's oldest oak tree, estimated to be 450 years old. A large population can also be seen here, having this reserve “the land of herons” as one of its nicknames. The reserve opens daily from 8 AM to 6 PM.