Small Town to Big City: Rural Driver's International Journey

Introduction

If you grew up navigating gravel roads and two-lane highways in a small town, the idea of driving into the heart of a European capital can feel both thrilling and intimidating. This is the story many professional drivers from Global are living right now: leaving familiar local routes to build a stable, well-paid career in Romania, a fast-growing logistics hub within the European Union.

Imagine this: You start in a village where everyone knows your truck by the sound of its engine. A few months later, you are pulling a modern Euro 6 rig through Romania's corridors, taking international loads to Vienna, Budapest, or Milan. Your digital tachograph skills are sharp, your CPC is up to date, and your paycheck stretches farther thanks to Romania's lower cost of living. You spend your weekends exploring Bucharest's lively old town or Cluj-Napoca's tech-savvy vibe, and you are part of a multinational crew where your experience is respected.

This comprehensive guide combines a success-story narrative with everything you need to know to replicate it: the job market, EU regulations, Romanian road transport laws, work permits and visas, license conversion, ADR certification, digital tachograph training, realistic salaries, cost of living, cultural integration, and a step-by-step relocation plan. Whether you are a C, CE, or D category driver, or a delivery pro looking for steady routes and career progression, Romania offers a practical bridge from small-town driving to big-city opportunities across Europe.

Why Romania?

Romania has emerged as one of Central and Eastern Europe's most dynamic transportation and logistics hubs. For professional drivers relocating from Global, it offers a strong combination of EU access, favorable living costs, and high demand.

• EU membership: Romania is in the European Union, which means your Romanian employment can open doors to international routes through the Schengen area and beyond. Employers in Romania regularly run trucks on cross-border routes to Hungary, Austria, Germany, Italy, and the Balkans.
• Strategic location: Romania borders EU and non-EU markets, with major corridors west through Hungary, south toward Bulgaria and Greece, and east toward Black Sea ports.
• Lower cost of living: Compared to many Western EU countries, your net income goes further. Rents, utilities, groceries, and transportation are generally more affordable, especially outside Bucharest.
• High driver demand: Like the rest of Europe, Romania faces a sustained shortage of qualified drivers. Employers actively recruit internationally for C, CE, and D category professionals.
• Quality of life: Safe communities, expanding highways, growing logistics parks, and modern city amenities make daily life comfortable. Natural landscapes like the Carpathians and the Black Sea coast offer weekend escapes.

Success snapshot: A rural CE driver from Global joined a Bucharest-based logistics company operating international hauls. Within six months, he moved from domestic routes to a steady Romania-Hungary-Austria loop on a 6-weeks-on/2-weeks-off rotation, boosted his earnings with tax-efficient per diems, and settled into a shared apartment in Bucharest's Militari area near the A1 corridor.

Job Market Overview

Romania's transportation and logistics sector includes long-haul trucking, regional distribution, last-mile delivery, and passenger transport. Here is where your skills fit best.

1) International Trucking (CE license)

• Core routes: Romania to Hungary, Austria, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, and Poland. Many companies operate westbound lanes and return loads, optimizing the Mobility Package rules.
• Cargo types: General goods (FMCG, electronics), refrigerated cargo (food, pharmaceuticals), automotive parts, and e-commerce.
• Rotation models: 4-weeks-on/1-week-off, 6-weeks-on/2-weeks-off, or longer rotations with negotiated home-return schedules.
• Typical employers: EDY Spedition, Dumagas, International Alexander, Aquila, DB Schenker Romania, DSV Solutions Romania, Kuehne+Nagel Romania, Girteka (Romania operations), Euro Truck Logistics, Frigoexpres.
• Locations: Bucharest (A1 corridor), Cluj-Napoca (A3), Timisoara (A1 near the Hungarian border), and Iasi (eastern distribution to Moldova border and internal routes).

2) Domestic and Regional Distribution (C or CE license)

• Work: Multi-drop distribution to retailers, warehouses, and industrial parks. Often day shifts with nights at home.
• Cargo: Retail supplies, consumer goods, construction materials, beverages.
• Typical employers: Retail and 3PL operators in major logistics parks like CTPark Bucharest, P3 Bucharest A1, and industrial zones near Timisoara and Cluj.

3) Last-Mile and Courier (B/C license)

• Work: City-wide parcels and e-commerce deliveries. Structured schedules with handheld scanners and route optimization.
• Typical employers: Fan Courier, Sameday, Urgent Cargus, DPD Romania, DHL Romania, GLS Romania.
• Cities: Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timisoara, Iasi.

4) Passenger Transport (D license)

• Urban bus operators: STB in Bucharest, Compania de Transport Public Cluj-Napoca, Societatea de Transport Public Timisoara, Compania de Transport Public Iasi.
• Intercity and international coach: Private carriers, FlixBus partner operators, Atlassib.
• Schedule: Fixed routes, shift work, often unionized environments.

5) Specialized Roles

• ADR hazardous goods: Fuel tankers, chemicals, and gases require ADR certification, always in demand and often higher paid.
• Heavy haulage and oversized loads: Requires experience, sometimes escort services. Premium pay with safety emphasis.
• Port logistics: Constanta port trucking and container movements, intermodal haulage.

Legal Requirements: Work Permits and Visas for Global Citizens

If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you will need authorization to work and live in Romania. The process is employer-led and involves two main stages.

Stage 1: Employer Applies for Your Work Permit (Aviz de angajare)

• Authority: General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI).
• Who applies: Your Romanian employer submits the application.
• Key requirements from employer: Proof of company status, vacancy details, labor contract offer, valid tax and social insurance registrations, and evidence that the position could not be filled by an EU/EEA citizen (where applicable).
• Your documents typically requested: Passport copy, proof of qualifications and relevant driving license categories, criminal record certificate from your country, recent medical certificate, and sometimes proof of accommodation (employer may assist).
• Processing time: Typically 30-45 days, but can vary.
• Work permit type: For drivers this is usually the standard work permit for permanent workers. Seasonal or posted-worker permits exist in specific cases.

Stage 2: Apply for the Long-Stay Work Visa (Visa D/AM)

• Where: Romanian consulate or embassy in your country or region.
• What you need: The IGI-issued work permit, passport, completed visa application, recent photos, proof of accommodation, medical insurance valid in Romania, and consular fee.
• Processing time: Often 10-20 business days once all documents are accepted.
• Entry: The D visa allows you to enter Romania to finalize your residence.

After Arrival: Residence Permit (Permis de sedere)

• Deadline: Apply within 90 days of arrival at the local IGI office.
• Documents: Employment contract, work permit, passport, proof of accommodation (lease contract), proof of health insurance, and photos.
• Validity: Typically 1 year for standard employment, renewable.
• Family: After you hold a valid residence, you can apply for family reunification for spouse and minor children under conditions set by IGI.

Tip: Many logistics companies in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Timisoara have HR teams experienced with recruiting from Global. Ask upfront if the employer provides visa sponsorship, document translations, and appointment scheduling support.

Certification & License Recognition

To drive professionally in Romania, your license and professional qualifications must be recognized or converted. Requirements vary depending on where your original license was issued.

Driving License Recognition or Exchange

• EU/EEA/Swiss licenses: Generally recognized across the EU. You can drive in Romania with a valid EU license. For long-term stay, many drivers opt to exchange for a Romanian license, which is straightforward.
• Non-EU licenses (Global): You may need to exchange your license for a Romanian one to drive professionally. Exchange rules depend on reciprocity agreements.

Key authority: DRPCIV (Directia Regim Permise de Conducere si Inmatriculare a Vehiculelor).

Typical steps to exchange a non-EU license:

1. Check reciprocity: Confirm if your license-issuing country has a bilateral agreement allowing exchange without exam. If yes, exams may be waived.
2. Prepare documents: Passport, residence permit or proof of legal stay, original driving license, official translation, medical fitness certificate from an authorized clinic, and passport photos.
3. Certificate of authenticity: Some applicants must provide an authenticity letter from the issuing authority.
4. Submit application: At your local DRPCIV office. You usually surrender your original license upon exchange.
5. If no reciprocity: You may need to complete a Romanian driving school and pass theory and practical tests for your categories (B, C, CE, D).

Processing time: 15-45 days depending on office workload.

CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) and Code 95

EU law requires professional drivers to hold a CPC (also known as Driver Qualification Card or code 95 on the license).

• Initial qualification: If you are new to professional driving in the EU, you will need initial CPC training and examination.
• Periodic training: 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years to maintain your qualification.
• Proof: In Romania, the CPC status is indicated by code 95 on your driving license categories or by a driver qualification card.

Authority and training: Autoritatea Rutiera Romana (ARR) oversees CPC compliance and accredits training centers. Many logistics companies partner with ARR-accredited schools and will enroll you in periodic training.

Digital Tachograph Card

You will need a driver card to operate digital tachographs.

• Issuer: Autoritatea Rutiera Romana (ARR).
• Requirements: Application form, valid Romanian driving license with appropriate categories, ID or residence permit, photo, and fee. Some applicants can apply after securing a residence permit.
• Processing time: Typically 1-3 weeks.
• Training: Employers or training centers commonly provide tachograph operation training covering Regulation (EU) No 165/2014, manual entries, printouts, and roadside inspection protocols.

ADR Certification (Hazardous Goods)

ADR opens higher-paid roles in fuel, chemical, and gas transport.

• Training: Attend an ARR-accredited ADR course (basic) and optional specialization (tanker, classes 1 and 7 excluded in many cases for special rules).
• Exam: Theory exam after the course. Certificates are valid for 5 years and can be renewed with a refresher course.
• Recognition: ADR certificates issued in EU states are generally recognized across the EU.

Romanian and EU Regulations You Must Know

• EU driving times and rest (Regulation 561/2006):
  • Daily driving: Max 9 hours (twice per week up to 10 hours).
  • Weekly driving: Max 56 hours; total over two consecutive weeks max 90 hours.
  • Breaks: 45-minute break after 4.5 hours driving (can be split 15+30).
  • Daily rest: 11 hours regular (can reduce to 9 hours up to 3 times between weekly rests).
  • Weekly rest: 45 hours regular; reduced weekly rest of 24 hours allowed under conditions.
• Tachograph rules (Regulation 165/2014): Proper use of cards, modes, manual entries when necessary, and secure printouts.
• EU Working Time Directive (2002/15/EC): Average weekly working time limited to 48 hours over a reference period; maximum 60 hours in any single week. Includes driving plus ancillary work.
• Mobility Package updates: Employers must organize the driver to return home or to the operations center at least every few weeks (commonly every 3-4 weeks). Vehicles used in international operations must return to the country of establishment at set intervals.
• Romanian traffic rules: Right-hand driving, seatbelts mandatory, zero-tolerance stance on drunk driving, strict mobile phone use rules, winter tire requirements during winter conditions.
• Road taxes and tolls: The e-rovinieta (vignette) is mandatory for using national roads. Purchase online or at fuel stations. Additional specific tolls exist for certain bridges and sections. Employers typically handle vignette and toll accounts for company vehicles.

Salary & Benefits

Romania offers competitive net pay for drivers, especially when your earnings include per diems for international trips. Figures vary by role, route, and employer. The following are realistic ranges as of the latest market observations. For simplicity, assume 1 EUR ≈ 5.0 RON.

International CE Drivers (Long-Haul)

• Take-home net: 2,000 to 3,000 EUR per month (10,000 to 15,000 RON), composed of base salary plus tax-efficient daily allowances (diurna) for international trips.
• Rotation impact: Longer rotations usually increase net pay due to more per diem days and driving hours within legal limits.
• Bonuses: On-time delivery, fuel efficiency, safe driving, winter operations, ADR premium when applicable.

Domestic CE or C Drivers (Regional Distribution)

• Net pay: 800 to 1,500 EUR per month (4,000 to 7,500 RON), depending on shift, overtime, and type of cargo.
• Schedule: More predictable with nights at home, sometimes weekend work.

Bus and Coach Drivers (D)

• Urban operators: 800 to 1,200 EUR net (4,000 to 6,000 RON), plus overtime and night shift allowances.
• Intercity or international coach: 1,200 to 1,800 EUR net (6,000 to 9,000 RON), depending on routes and language skills.

Delivery Drivers (B/C)

• Net pay: 600 to 1,000 EUR (3,000 to 5,000 RON), plus performance bonuses during peak seasons.

Benefits to Ask For

• Accommodation support: Temporary housing or a housing allowance, especially on arrival.
• Transport to base: Shuttle or reimbursements to the depot, especially for rotations.
• CPC and ADR: Paid training and renewal fees.
• Tachograph card: Employer assistance with application and cost.
• Medicals: Paid periodic medical checks required for professional drivers.
• Insurance: Accident and health coverage beyond mandatory social insurance.
• Rotation planning: Clear return-home schedule in line with Mobility Package.

Note on taxes: Romania has a 10% flat income tax for most employment income and standard social contributions withheld by employers. International per diems are often tax-favored within legal limits, which boosts net pay for long-haul drivers. Confirm the exact structure with your employer.

Cost of Living in Key Romanian Cities

Your salary stretches further in Romania compared to many Western EU countries, but costs vary by city. Here are typical monthly budgets for a single driver. Values are averages and will vary by lifestyle.

Bucharest

• Rent (1-bedroom apartment, decent area): 450 to 700 EUR
• Utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet): 100 to 160 EUR
• Groceries and eating out: 250 to 350 EUR
• Public transport pass: 15 to 20 EUR
• Mobile plan: 7 to 12 EUR
• Total monthly baseline: 822 to 1,242 EUR

Pros: Best job density, multiple logistics parks, international flight connections. Cons: Higher rent, heavier traffic.

Cluj-Napoca

• Rent: 450 to 650 EUR
• Utilities: 90 to 140 EUR
• Groceries and eating out: 220 to 320 EUR
• Transport pass: 12 to 18 EUR
• Mobile plan: 7 to 12 EUR
• Total: 779 to 1,140 EUR

Pros: Tech-driven city, efficient public transport, quality of life. Cons: Rents can be high due to student and tech demand.

Timisoara

• Rent: 350 to 500 EUR
• Utilities: 90 to 140 EUR
• Groceries and eating out: 220 to 300 EUR
• Transport pass: 12 to 18 EUR
• Mobile plan: 7 to 12 EUR
• Total: 679 to 970 EUR

Pros: Close to the Hungarian border, excellent for western routes, strong industrial base.

Iasi

• Rent: 300 to 450 EUR
• Utilities: 80 to 120 EUR
• Groceries and eating out: 200 to 280 EUR
• Transport pass: 10 to 15 EUR
• Mobile plan: 7 to 12 EUR
• Total: 597 to 877 EUR

Pros: Lower costs, growing logistics links east and domestic routes.

Fuel, tolls, and parking: If you drive a personal car, expect fuel at roughly 1.4 to 1.7 EUR per liter. Most drivers rely on employer-provided trucks for commuting to depots or use public transport when in the city.

Cultural Integration: Language and Workplace

Language Basics

• Romanian is a Romance language with Latin roots. Knowing basic phrases helps with police checks, fueling, paperwork, and depot interactions.
• English is widely spoken in logistics companies, especially among dispatchers and managers in big cities. Many drivers and staff also speak some English; Russian, Italian, or Spanish may be useful depending on routes.
• Practical Romanian phrases:
  • Buna ziua = Good day
  • Va rog = Please
  • Multumesc = Thank you
  • Unde este depozitul? = Where is the warehouse?
  • Documente de transport = Transport documents
  • Card tahograf = Tachograph card
  • Pauza = Break

Workplace Culture

• Professionalism: Punctuality and paperwork accuracy matter. Dispatchers expect timely communication via phone or app.
• Hierarchy: Clear reporting lines. Respectful, straightforward communication is appreciated.
• Safety: Employers emphasize compliance with EU driving-time rules, vehicle checks, and winter readiness.
• Team mix: Multinational crews are common. You will meet drivers from Romania, neighboring countries, and across Global.

Everyday Life

• Banking: Open a local bank account to receive salary. Major banks like Banca Transilvania and BRD have English-speaking staff in cities. Some banks may open accounts with just a passport and proof of address, but a residence permit often helps.
• Mobile: Major providers are Orange Romania, Vodafone Romania, Digi Mobil. Affordable prepaid and postpaid plans.
• Healthcare: Employers register you with Romania's public health system through payroll. Many add private clinics for faster appointments.
• Community: Expat driver groups on social media can be invaluable for housing tips, route advice, and discount gear.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Driving on the Right Side

• If you come from a left-side driving country, book a few hours of local coaching before your first shift. Practice lane discipline, roundabout navigation, and mirror use in a right-hand traffic environment.
• Use routes with wider lanes at first. Avoid peak hours in Bucharest until you regain full confidence.

Winter Driving Conditions

• Legal requirement: Winter tires are mandatory when roads are covered with snow, ice, or black ice. Heavy vehicles may be required to use snow chains on specified segments.
• Preparation: Employers typically equip trucks seasonally. Inspect tire condition, carry chains where required, and plan routes that avoid closed mountain roads like sections of Transfagarasan in winter.
• Techniques: Increase stopping distances, use engine braking on descents, and avoid sudden steering inputs.

Toll Systems and Vignettes

• Romania requires an e-rovinieta for all vehicles using national roads. For company trucks, dispatch will manage vignettes and European toll boxes.
• Bridge or special section tolls exist; your employer usually covers them through accounts or reimbursements.

EU Working Time Directives

• Keep a personal log alongside the tachograph data to track your weekly working time. Communicate early with dispatch if you are approaching limits.
• Do not allow pressure to compromise breaks or rest. Romanian employers operating internationally are audited and will support compliance.

Practical Steps to Relocate

Follow this step-by-step plan to move from Global to a paid driving job in Romania with minimal stress.

1. Assess your profile and goals

   • License categories: C, CE, and D are in highest demand. If you hold only C, consider progressing to CE before applying.
   • Add-ons: ADR and digital tachograph experience increase your options and pay.
   • Route preference: Domestic, regional, or international rotations.

2. Prepare core documents

   • Passport valid for at least 12 months.
   • Driving license, plus certified translation if non-EU.
   • Driver CV highlighting categories, vehicle types, routes, tachograph experience, ADR status, and accident-free years.
   • Criminal record certificate from your country.
   • Medical certificate of fitness to drive (if available), otherwise the employer will schedule one.

3. Target employers and apply

   • Shortlist: EDY Spedition, Dumagas, International Alexander, Aquila, DB Schenker Romania, DSV Solutions Romania, Kuehne+Nagel Romania, Fan Courier, Sameday, STB (for D category), CTP Cluj, STPT Timisoara.
   • Use job platforms and company career pages. Ask about visa sponsorship, training, and relocation support.
   • Be ready for phone or video interviews focusing on EU road rules, tachograph use, load securing, defensive driving, and winter competence.

4. Secure a written offer and work permit sponsorship

   • Ensure the contract states salary, per diems, rotation, route type, and who pays for CPC, ADR, tachograph card, medicals, and accommodation during training.
   • Your employer applies for the IGI work permit.

5. Apply for the long-stay work visa (D/AM)

   • Gather required documents and book a consular appointment.
   • Pay fees and track processing. Prepare to travel within the visa validity period.

6. Arrive in Romania and onboard

   • Attend medical check and safety induction.
   • Start CPC periodic training if due; enroll for ADR if required.
   • Apply for the tachograph card with ARR (employer assists).
   • Sort housing: Temporary accommodation near the depot for the first weeks.

7. Exchange or validate your driving license

   • Visit DRPCIV with required documents. If reciprocity applies, exchange without exams; if not, enroll in a driving school for required categories.
   • Check code 95 endorsement process with your training center.

8. Apply for residence permit at IGI

   • Submit within 90 days of arrival. Provide lease, employment contract, work permit, insurance, passport, and photos.

9. Start on domestic or mentored routes

   • Many employers start new international drivers on domestic or regional runs to familiarize you with Romanian roads, fueling, and depot procedures.

10. Transition to preferred routes

• After 4-8 weeks, move to your negotiated rotation and international loops. Keep your CPC and ADR current, and document your achievements for future raises.

Success Tips from Other Expat Drivers

• Learn the dispatch language: Even if English is used, learn common Romanian dispatch terms to avoid misunderstandings at 3 a.m.
• Keep immaculate paperwork: Delivery notes, CMRs, printouts for tachograph anomalies, incident logs. It saves time during audits and roadside inspections.
• Winter kit always ready: Gloves, scraper, flashlight, spare fluids, warm layers, power bank.
• Budget smart in the first 3 months: You may have upfront costs before reimbursements. Share accommodation with other drivers near depots.
• Network in the yard: Chat with Romanian colleagues about best fuel stops, quiet parking, and customs tips at border crossings.
• Respect rest times: Your license and job depend on it. Employers prefer drivers who self-manage compliance.
• Upgrade steadily: ADR basic now, tanker next. Consider a forklift certificate for warehouse-support roles during rotations.
• Track your tax status: Keep pay slips and diurnal documentation to understand your net and ensure compliance.

A Driver's Journey: From Rural Roads to International Lanes

Case story blend of real-world patterns:

Mateo grew up in a small town, driving farm deliveries and local construction materials with a C license. He dreamed of seeing Europe but worried about big-city traffic. After researching Romania, he applied to a Timisoara-based logistics company that offered visa sponsorship and CPC training.

• Month 1: The employer obtained his work permit. Mateo secured his D visa and flew into Timisoara. He stayed in shared housing arranged by the company and completed medicals and CPC periodic training.
• Month 2: He exchanged his license at DRPCIV, applied for the tachograph card at ARR, and started mentored regional runs to Arad and Oradea using right-hand traffic.
• Month 3: With his residence permit submitted and card in hand, Mateo took his first international loop: Timisoara to Budapest to Vienna and back. He mastered the EU driving-time rules, kept clean tachograph data, and earned his first per diem-enhanced paycheck.
• Month 6: Confident on winter roads with proper tires and chains, he negotiated a 6-weeks-on/2-weeks-off rotation. His net earnings reached about 2,400 EUR per month. On breaks, he explored old cities and sent money home with lower living costs in Timisoara.

This path is repeatable with planning, the right employer, and a focus on compliance and safety.

Conclusion: Your Road to Romania Starts Now

Romania is a practical, high-opportunity gateway for drivers from Global aiming to build a long-term career in European logistics. The country offers strong demand for C, CE, and D drivers, competitive net pay boosted by per diems, a cost of living that allows real savings, and a clear path to license recognition, CPC, tachograph, and ADR certifications. From Bucharest's major hubs to Timisoara's western corridors, you can move seamlessly from small-town comfort to big-city and international success.

Action steps:

• Shortlist 3-5 Romanian employers in your target city.
• Prepare your documents and ask about full visa sponsorship and training support.
• Plan a 90-day integration timeline: arrival, medicals, CPC, tachograph card, residence permit, and route onboarding.
• Start with domestic or mentored runs, then move into your preferred international rotation.

Your next chapter is a border crossing away. Drive it with confidence.

FAQ

1) Can I work as a driver in Romania if I am from Global and not an EU citizen?

Yes, many Romanian logistics companies hire non-EU drivers. Your employer must obtain a work permit from IGI, after which you apply for a long-stay work visa (D/AM). Once in Romania, you finalize your residence permit and complete any license exchange or CPC steps.

2) How long does the work permit and visa process take?

Expect 6 to 10 weeks on average. The employer's work permit stage can take 30-45 days, and the consular visa 10-20 business days once documents are in order. Start gathering your police clearance and translations early to avoid delays.

3) Do I need CPC code 95 if I already have years of driving experience?

Yes. EU rules require CPC for professional driving regardless of experience. If you already hold valid CPC from another EU country, it is recognized. Otherwise, complete initial or periodic training in Romania through an ARR-accredited center to obtain code 95 on your license.

4) How do I get a digital tachograph card in Romania?

Apply through ARR with your Romanian driving license, ID or residence permit, a photo, and the fee. Processing typically takes 1-3 weeks. Your employer or training center can help with the forms and correct card type.

5) What are realistic salaries for international CE drivers in Romania?

Most international CE drivers earn 2,000 to 3,000 EUR net per month, combining base salary with per diems for days spent abroad. Pay varies by rotation, route complexity, ADR status, and employer benefits.

6) Is winter driving in Romania difficult?

It can be challenging in mountain areas. However, employers equip trucks with winter tires and chains where required, and you will receive guidance on safe routes and techniques. Many international corridors are well-maintained. Plan extra time and follow dispatcher instructions in severe weather.

7) Can I bring my family to Romania?

Yes. After you receive your residence permit, you can apply for family reunification, subject to IGI requirements. You will need proof of accommodation, income, and health insurance. Processing times vary by city.

8) Will my non-EU driving license be accepted for professional driving?

For long-term professional driving, you generally need a Romanian license or an EU license with CPC. If your country has reciprocity with Romania, you can exchange your license at DRPCIV without exams. If not, you may need to complete theory and practical tests in Romania for your categories.

9) What are the main Romanian cities for drivers to consider?

• Bucharest: The largest job market, extensive logistics parks, most international operations.
• Cluj-Napoca: Strong regional distribution and tech economy, good quality of life.
• Timisoara: Excellent for western EU routes due to proximity to the Hungarian border.
• Iasi: Lower costs and growing domestic and cross-border opportunities.

10) How do EU working time rules affect my schedule?

You must comply with both driving-time and overall working-time limits. Expect careful planning of breaks and rests, averaging no more than 48 hours of work per week over several months, and strict adherence to tachograph records. Dispatchers will plan your runs to stay compliant, and you should communicate proactively when nearing limits.

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Small-town skills, big-city confidence: Romania gives you the platform to turn years of rural driving into a stable, well-paid international career. With the right permits, certifications, and employer, your journey from quiet roads to major European routes can start this season.