New Medical Fitness Rules for Driving Licences in Romania from 6 November

People with certain eye conditions, mental health disorders or a history of alcohol dependence will be assessed under updated medical rules when applying for or renewing a driving licence in Romania. The changes, which take effect on 6 November 2026, introduce individualised medical assessments and clarify the conditions under which people with certain health conditions may obtain or renew their driving licence.

The new provisions are established by Romanian Ministry of Health Order No. 1,829/2026, published in the Official Gazette of Romania, No. 884 of 22 October 2026. The order amends the medical fitness standards for driving motor vehicles, originally approved by Order No. 1,162/2010.

The changes cover four main areas: vision, mental health disorders, alcohol consumption, and the use of drugs or medicines that may affect driving safety.

An important aspect of the new regulations is the role of specialist medical assessments in determining fitness to drive. In certain circumstances, people with conditions that may affect their driving ability can receive a favourable medical assessment, provided that specific requirements and medical monitoring schedules are met.

Vision problems: ophthalmological assessment and possible exemptions

The new order updates the criteria for assessing vision, taking into account not only visual acuity and visual field but also other visual functions relevant to road safety.

When clinical findings suggest visual impairment, a specialist examination may include:

• Visual acuity and visual field;
• Vision in low-light conditions;
• Sensitivity to glare and contrast;
• Presence of diplopia (double vision);
• Other eye conditions that may affect driving safety.

For Group 1 drivers, which includes car and motorcycle drivers, the requirements remain a binocular visual acuity of at least 0.5, with or without optical correction, and a horizontal visual field of at least 120 degrees.

The new Romanian regulations explicitly allow, in exceptional cases, the issue or renewal of a driving licence even when these requirements are not met. This requires a favourable assessment from a medical specialist confirming that the visual impairment does not compromise road safety, as well as successfully completing a practical test conducted by the competent authority or an authorised medical facility.

In cases of recently developed double vision or loss of vision in one eye, driving is prohibited during an adaptation period of at least six months. Resuming driving subsequently requires a favourable assessment from an ophthalmologist and the relevant driving fitness expert.

Mental health disorders: decisions depend on severity and clinical progression

Another important change concerns people with mental health disorders.

Under the updated Romanian regulations, driving licences must not be issued or renewed for people with severe congenital or acquired mental disorders, or with severe or persistent impairments of judgement, behaviour or adaptability.

However, for Group 1 drivers, the order allows exceptions based on a favourable medical opinion issued by the treating specialist.

In such cases, individuals must undergo periodic medical examinations, with the frequency determined individually by the specialist according to the progression of the condition and the duration of remission.

Therefore, having a psychiatric diagnosis should not automatically be interpreted as permanent disqualification from driving in Romania. The medical assessment must establish whether the condition affects the person’s ability to drive safely and whether the requirements for a favourable opinion are met.

Alcohol dependence: a driving licence may be obtained after medically confirmed abstinence and remission

The regulations also clarify the situation of people diagnosed with alcohol dependence.

A driving licence cannot be issued or renewed when a specialist medical assessment identifies alcohol dependence or other alcohol-related disorders that are incompatible with safe driving.

For people with a previous diagnosis of alcohol dependence, a driving licence may be issued or renewed following a period of medically confirmed abstinence and remission.

A favourable medical opinion from the treating specialist is required, along with compliance with the monitoring programme established by that specialist.

The Romanian order does not establish a single mandatory period of abstinence applicable to all patients. Assessment is carried out according to each individual’s medical circumstances.

Medicines affecting driving ability: what patients need to know

The provisions concerning drugs and medicines are particularly relevant for patients receiving treatments that may affect alertness, attention, reaction time or other functions necessary for driving a motor vehicle.

For Group 1 drivers, a driving licence must not be issued or renewed when a specialist medical assessment identifies the use of psychotropic substances, narcotics or medicines that impair the ability to drive safely.

The regulations also apply to medicines or combinations of medicines that, according to specialist medical assessment, are likely to affect driving ability.

Importantly, taking prescribed medication does not automatically mean losing the right to drive. The relevant criterion is the treatment’s effect on safe driving ability, as determined through medical assessment.

Patients receiving treatments that may impair alertness or coordination should discuss these risks with their prescribing physician. Medication should not be discontinued without medical advice solely to obtain a favourable medical fitness certificate.

Stricter requirements for Group 2 drivers

The Romanian medical fitness standards distinguish between two categories of drivers:

• Group 1: drivers of vehicles in categories AM, A1, A2, A, B1, B and BE;
• Group 2: drivers of vehicles in categories C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE.

For Group 2, which includes lorry and bus drivers, medical assessments must take into account the additional risks associated with operating these vehicles.

Regarding vision, the requirements include a visual acuity of at least 0.8 in the better eye and 0.1 in the other eye, as well as a horizontal visual field of at least 160 degrees.

In cases involving mental health disorders, alcohol-related problems or other relevant medical conditions, the authorised healthcare facility, through its medical specialist, may establish conditions or restrictions on driving.

What do the changes mean for family doctors and patients in Romania?

Although the new order does not explicitly introduce additional responsibilities for family doctors, its provisions are relevant to primary healthcare practice in Romania.

Family doctors may encounter patients with chronic diseases, ophthalmological or psychiatric conditions, or medication regimens that raise concerns about their ability to drive.

In these situations, familiarity with the updated criteria can support patient counselling, identification of medication-related risks and referral for specialist medical assessment when necessary.

For people applying for or renewing a Romanian driving licence, the main practical points are:

• Having a chronic medical condition does not necessarily mean being medically unfit to drive;
• Certain diagnoses require specialist medical approval and periodic monitoring;
• Medication that may affect driving ability should be discussed with the treating physician;
• Fitness-to-drive assessments are carried out under the applicable Romanian regulations by authorised medical facilities.

Order No. 1,829/2026 transposes into Romanian legislation provisions concerning minimum medical requirements from Directive (EU) 2025/2205 on driving licences.

The new rules apply from 6 November 2026. The amendments concern medical assessments for obtaining and renewing driving licences in Romania, without changing the other medical criteria established by the regulations currently in force.