Toll roads in Moldova? How to buy a vignette in Moldova? Fines in Moldova? Parking in Moldova? Freeways in Moldova? Toll tunnels in Moldova? Ferries in Moldova? We have collected answers to all these questions for you in this article.
Toll roads in Moldova
There are no toll roads in Moldova.
From November 1, 2012, the Republic of Moldova introduced a toll for the use of highways (vignette) for owners of cars with foreign license plates. The amount of the fee depends on the duration of use of national roads.
Vignettes can be purchased at the following locations:
- at customs posts (customs offices) through a financial institution in cash and/or by transfer in Moldovan lei or in foreign currency at the official rate of Moldovan lei effective on the date of payment;
- at authorized points established by the authorized body of the central public administration, in cash and/or by transfer in Moldovan lei or in foreign currency at the official rate of Moldovan lei effective on the date of payment.
The cost of a vignette in Moldova
Vignette price (EUR) in Moldova for 2023 for passenger cars and trailers:
| Vehicle | 7 days | 15 days | 30 days | 90 days | 180 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| €4 | € 8 | €16 | €45 | € 85 |
The fee for a vignette for a period of more than 180 days in 12 consecutive months is set at EUR 180, which must be paid for each subsequent period of 180 days, including incomplete periods after the first 180 days.
The minimum period for which you can purchase a vignette for a passenger car is 7 days. Even if it only takes 1 day to travel.
When paying, be sure to check the correctness of the entered registration number of the car.
How to pay toll roads in Moldova? How to buy a vignette in Moldova?
Road tax on foreign cars has been collected here since 2012, now an electronic vignette has been put into circulation, which simplifies both its purchase with use and control. To pay for toll roads in Moldova, you can use one of the sales point options:
- on the website evinieta.gov.md;
- on the border territory;
- some branches of the bank, for example, Agroind;
- special items;
- post offices;
- terminals
Advice:
The last two methods are convenient, but it is worth considering that you will have to pay a commission in the amount of 7 lei. If the purchase price exceeds €45, the additional fee will be calculated as 1.5% of the total amount.
The check for the vignette must be kept for the entire period of travel, its validity period.
Traffic control on the roads of Moldova
Control is carried out by the traffic police or a mobile brigade of the customs service.
If, upon leaving the country, a car not registered in the Republic of Moldova is found moving without paying a vignette, or the validity period of the vignette has been set, the customs authority does not allow crossing the state border until a document confirming the payment of this fee and fines is submitted.
What are the fines for free travel in Moldova?
Driving a vehicle not registered in the Republic of Moldova and its trailer on public roads without a certificate certifying the payment of a vignette for less than 7 days entails the imposition of a fine in the amount of 100 conditional units – MDL 5,000 (€ 256).
Driving a vehicle not registered in the Republic of Moldova and its trailer on public highways without a certificate certifying the payment of a vignette for more than 7 days entails the imposition of a fine in the amount of 130 conditional units – MDL 6,500 (€ 333).
From January 1, 2017, border police officers are authorized to check the presence and correctness of the vignette – toll for using the roads by means of vehicles that are not registered in the Republic of Moldova.
Road map of Moldova
Basic traffic rules of Moldova
Speed limits in Moldova
Standard speed limits in Moldova (unless otherwise indicated on signs).Cars:
- in the settlement – 50 km/h
- outside the settlement – 90 km/h
- on the road – 110 km/h
Cars with a trailer:
- in the settlement – 50 km/h
- outside the settlement – 70 km/h
- on the road – 90 km/h
Motorcycles:
- in the settlement – 50 km/h
- outside the settlement – 90 km/h
- on the road – 90 km/h
Alcohol
Maximum permissible blood alcohol level in Moldova 0.3 ‰.
If the level of alcohol in the blood is between 0.3 ‰ and 0.5 ‰, then this is punishable by a fine of MDL 17,500 to 25,000 (€ 896 – 1,280) with the deprivation of the right to drive a vehicle for a period of 2 to 3 years.
If the level of alcohol in the blood exceeds 0.5‰, then the fine will be from MDL 37,500 to 42,500 (€ 1,920 – 2,176) or unpaid work for the benefit of society for a period of 200 to 240 hours, with deprivation of the right to drive vehicles in both cases term from 3 to 5 years (Article 2641 ). UKRM
Refusal, resistance or evasion of a driver of a vehicle to conduct an alcohol test – a fine of MDL 45,000 to 50,000 (€ 2,304 – 2,560) or unpaid work for the benefit of society for a period of 200 to 240 hours, with the deprivation of the right to drive vehicles in both cases for a period of 3 to 5 years.
Low light
In Moldova, drivers of all vehicles must turn on dipped headlights during the day from November 1 to March 31 inclusive, as well as when visibility is limited due to fog, snow, rain, etc. Mandatory when driving through tunnels.
Fine – MDL 450 (€ 23).
Transportation of children in Moldova
Children under the age of 12 may be transported only in a passenger car equipped with a special child restraint system (or other devices: a special seat height-adjustable pillow that allows you to fasten standard seat belts), subject to the following requirements:
- child restraint system meets safety standards;
- the child restraint system corresponds to the weight and growth of the child;
- the position of the child on the seat allows the seat belt to be fastened correctly (with respect to the shoulder and pelvis).
It is forbidden to transport children under the age of 12 in the front seat of a passenger car, as well as in the right front seat of a minibus or bus.
Fine – from MDL 450 to 600 (€ 23 – 31).
Safety belts
Using seat belts in Moldova is mandatory for front and rear passengers.
Fine – from MDL 450 to 600 (€ 23 – 31).
Talking on the phone while driving in Moldova
It is forbidden to use a telephone communication device that is not equipped with a technical device that allows you to conduct hands-free negotiations while the vehicle is in motion.
Fine – from MDL 450 to 600 (€ 23 – 31).
Tinting
It is prohibited in Moldova to operate vehicles with darkened windshields or windows of the front doors, or on which, in violation of the provisions of the Road Traffic Rules, various objects are placed that limit the driver’s view.
The fine is from MDL 600 to 1,200 (€ 31 – 61).
Fines in Moldova
The fine is set in conditional units. One conditional unit equals MDL 50 (€ 2.56).Penalties for violating traffic rules in Moldova:
| Violation | Fines (MDL) |
|---|---|
| Exceeding the speed from 10 to 20 km/h | 300 – 600 (€ 15 – 31) |
| Speeding from 20 to 40 km/h | 600 – 900 (€ 31 – 46) |
| Speeding over 40 km/h | 1,200 – 1,500 (€ 61 – 77) |
| Failure to grant the right of way to pedestrians | 150 – 300 (€ 8 – 15) |
| Violation of the rules of passage through a railway crossing | 3,000 – 3,750 (€ 154 – 192) |
| Passing through a traffic light prohibition signal | 750 – 900 (€ 38 – 46) |
| Road accident that caused minor injuries | 1,500 – 2,000 (€ 77 – 102) |
| Violations that caused the threat of an accident | 900 – 1,500 (€ 46 – 77) |
| Stopping and parking in prohibited places | 150 – 300 (€ 8 – 15) |
| Failure to comply with the requirements of signs, road markings | 600 – 750 (€ 31 – 38) |
| Failure to maintain the cleanliness of headlights, license plates, and glass | 50 – 100 (€ 3 – 5) |
| Operation of a vehicle without a compulsory civil liability insurance policy | 150 – 300 (€ 8 – 15) |
The offender has the right to pay half of the established fine if it is paid within 72 hours from the moment of its imposition. In this case, the punishment in the form of a fine is considered to have been fulfilled in full.
Useful Information
Fuel prices in Moldova
Unleaded gasoline (92, 95 and 98) and diesel fuel are available in Moldova. There are gas filling stations (LPG and methane).
Average prices for all types of fuel according to Lukoil data as of 12.12.2023:
- Gasoline 92 — MDL 22.72 (€ 1,184)
- Gasoline 95 — MDL 22.97 (€ 1,197)
- Gasoline 98 — MDL 29.95 (€ 1,561)
- Diesel fuel — MDL 21.16 (€ 1,103)
- Liquefied gas — MDL 14.60 (€ 0.761)
Emergency numbers in Moldova
- The European emergency number is 112
From April 1, 2018, all services were transferred to a single number.
Mandatory equipment
Equipment that necessary to have in a car in Moldova:
- Car first aid kit;
- Emergency stop sign — or portable flashing red light;
- Reflective vest – in the absence of a fine from MDL 450 to 600 (€ 23 – 31);
- Fire extinguisher.
Winter equipment
Winter tires
From December 1 to March 1, it is prohibited to drive a car with a total weight of up to 3.5 tons (normal cross-country ability – 4×2 or increased cross-country ability – 4WD) in the presence of snow or ice on the roadway, as well as in icy conditions, if their wheels, as well as the wheels of trailers, towed by these vehicles, not equipped with winter tires marked “M+S”, “M.S.” or “M&S”. The fine is MDL 500 (€26).
Studded tires
Studded tires are allowed only if there is snow, ice, or ice on the roadway, as well as when a significant difference in meteorological conditions is confirmed throughout the territory of the Republic of Moldova.
Requirements for the use of winter and studded tires in different European countries.
Recommended equipment and other rules in Moldova
The first aid kit and fire extinguisher must be fixed in the places specified by the manufacturer. If the design of the vehicle does not provide for these places, the first-aid kit and fire extinguisher must be located in easily accessible places (except for the trunk of a passenger car).
Owning, installing or operating devices that detect means of measuring the speed of a vehicle (Radar detector) or those who disrupt their operation (anti-radar) prohibited and entails the imposition of a fine in the amount of MDL 600 to 1,200 (€ 31 – 61).
Parking in Moldova
There are both free and paid parking lots in Moldova. 2 large free parking lots in Chisinau are located on Bucharest and Testemitsan streets. They work from 07:00 to 19:00. After 19:00 there are no problems with parking spaces in the capital. Automated parking is also available in Chisinau. She is on the street on August 31. The hourly rate between 07:00 and 22:00 is 50 lei or 2.5 euros, the rest of the time is 10 lei or 0.5 euros.