If you're driving in Romania your checklist requirements are:

• A valid UK driving licence - both the photo and paper parts. If you don't have a photo card licence, you'll need an International Driving Permit - find out more here
• A GB sticker on the back of your car - even if your car has 'Euro-plates' (number-plates that show a circle of 12 stars on a blue background)
• Your motor insurance certificate and V5 registration document or hire car paperwork
• A warning triangle inside the car in case you break down
• Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you're driving on the right, so your lights don't dazzle motorists coming the other way)
• A first aid kit
• A fire extinguisher
• Winter tyres or snow chains if you're driving in bad wintry weather - spiked tyres are not allowed

You must also:

• Be 18 or over
• Make sure everyone in the car wears a seatbelt at all times
• Wear a crash helmet if you're riding a motorcycle

It's a good idea to have:

• Spare bulbs for your car's external lights
• A Green Card - it's a useful back-up to your motor insurance documents and shows you've got the minimum legal level of cover. If you'd like to find out more, contact your insurance company

Other things you should know:

• You'll need to buy a road tax sticker (Rovineta) - you can get them from petrol stations and post offices
• You'll have to pay motorways tolls - they're paid in Euros so make sure you have plenty of change
• Petrol (leaded and unleaded), diesel and LPG are readily available
• Many petrol stations don't take credit cards, only cash
• The speed limit is 50kph in built-up areas, 90kph on open roads and 130kph on motorways (10kph less if you're towing, 20kph less if you've held your licence for less than a year)
• The drink driving limit is zero - so there must be no alcohol in your blood when driving
• You shouldn't use your horn between 10pm - 6am in built-up areas
• Children under age 12 can't sit in the front
• If you're taking your own car to Romania and the body is damaged, you should get a police report confirming the damage when you enter the country - otherwise, police will query this with you when you leave
• Give way to traffic coming onto a roundabout
• Always park on the right hand side of the road, in the same direction as the traffic
• Watch out for horse-drawn carts and livestock on the roads, especially at night, when driving through Romania
• Romanian police can be very strict, imposing fines if you don't give way at pedestrian crossings, go through a red or amber light or don't stop at a stop sign. Despite this, local drivers don't always follow the rules
• If you're driving back out of Romania, you'll have to pay tax on any petrol or diesel in your tank

Useful guides and maps

Michelin Motoring Atlas: Europe

What RAC can do for you

RAC offers great-value, flexible RAC European breakdown cover tailored to meet your needs. We also offer comprehensive travel insurance, including cover for medical expenses, baggage, personal money and belongings.

Sources Foreign & Commonwealth Office, www.nationaldrivesafe.co.uk.

Disclaimer: RAC are not responsible for the content of external websites. The information provided is correct as of August 2009 to the best of our knowledge and should be referred to for information purposes only - it should not be relied upon as formal advice. Please always check the current requirements of the country you are visiting before you leave.