Drivers and future drivers must comply with new medical rules for obtaining or renewing a driving licence, effective November 6, 2026

Drivers and future drivers in Romania must take into account new medical rules coming into force as of November 6, concerning the conditions under which a driving licence may be obtained or renewed.

The changes are provided for in Ministry of Health Order no. 1.829/2026, published in the Official Gazette on October 22. The regulatory act brings important clarifications regarding the assessment of health status, focusing on vision problems, mental disorders, a history of alcohol dependence, or the use of certain medicines. A diagnosis will no longer automatically constitute grounds for rejection, with the decision to take into account the concrete effects of the illness on road safety.

In the case of ophthalmological problems, doctors will assess not only visual acuity and the field of vision, but also sensitivity to light, contrast perception, vision in low-light conditions, and the presence of double vision. In exceptional situations, group 1 drivers, who drive cars and motorcycles, could obtain or renew their licence on the basis of a specialist medical opinion.

People with severe mental disorders or persistent impairment of judgment, behaviour, or ability to adapt will be allowed to drive only if they receive a favourable opinion and agree to periodic check-ups. Likewise, those who have suffered from alcohol dependence will have to prove abstinence and remission.

A licence will not be granted to people dependent on psychotropic substances, nor to those who use drugs or medicines that affect safety behind the wheel. For professional drivers, the conditions remain stricter.