New medical criteria tighten driver’s license assessments in Romania
Romanian health authorities have revised the medical standards for obtaining or renewing a driving licence, focusing on actual road-safety risk rather than just diagnoses.
Romania’s Ministry of Health has introduced Order no. 1829/2026, which amends the medical requirements for car drivers and came into effect in October 2026. The reform shifts the focus from merely noting a medical diagnosis to evaluating the concrete risk each condition poses to traffic safety. Vision assessments will now cover visual field testing, with tailored criteria for individuals with monocular vision or diplopia, and may require specialist examinations and periodic checks.
In the mental-health domain, only serious disorders that affect judgment, behavior or adaptability trigger restrictions, but a favourable specialist opinion and regular monitoring can still permit licence approval. The new rules also address alcohol dependence, allowing licence renewal after a verified period of abstinence and documented remission, while evaluating the impact of any medication on driving ability rather than imposing blanket bans. Overall, the changes aim to align medical clearances more closely with actual driving safety concerns.
Why it matters
Drivers will face stricter health checks that directly link medical conditions to road safety, affecting licence eligibility nationwide.
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