Road fines in Romania will rise from 1 July 2026, alongside an increase in the national gross minimum wage. The value of one fine point will reach 216.25 lei, up from the current 202.5 lei.
The increase does not result from a direct change to each individual traffic offence, but from the formula used to calculate the fine point. Under Emergency Ordinance No. 195/2002 on road traffic, one fine point is equal to 5% of the guaranteed national gross minimum basic wage.
From 1 July 2026, the gross minimum wage will rise to 4,325 lei, according to Government Decision No. 146/2026. As a result, 5% of 4,325 lei is 216.25 lei.
The minimum-wage increase affects not only employees’ incomes but also certain obligations calculated in relation to it. More details on the change in incomes are available in InfoBuz’s analysis of the minimum wage increase from 1 July 2026 and how much more Romanians will receive.
For more information for drivers, see also Romania’s road vignette changes from 1 July: what drivers will pay by Euro emissions standard, which provides complementary details on the subject.
What the fine point will be worth from 1 July 2026
From 1 July 2026, the fine point will be worth 216.25 lei. Until then, it is worth 202.5 lei, calculated on the basis of a gross minimum wage of 4,050 lei.
The difference is 13.75 lei for each fine point. The more points a penalty carries, the higher the final amount paid by the driver will be.
| Period | Gross minimum wage | Fine-point value |
|---|---|---|
| Until 30 June 2026 | 4,050 lei | 202.5 lei |
| From 1 July 2026 | 4,325 lei | 216.25 lei |
New road fines by penalty class
The Road Code divides administrative offences into penalty classes according to the seriousness of the act. The first four classes apply to natural persons, while Class V applies to legal entities.
| Penalty class | Number of fine points | Value from 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Class I | 2–3 points | 432.5–648.75 lei |
| Class II | 4–5 points | 865–1,081.25 lei |
| Class III | 6–8 points | 1,297.5–1,730 lei |
| Class IV | 9–20 points | 1,946.25–4,325 lei |
| Class V | 21–100 points | 4,541.25–21,625 lei |
As a result, the lowest road fine for natural persons will be 432.5 lei, while the highest fine for natural persons may reach 4,325 lei, depending on the offence.
Why road fines are increasing
Fines are increasing because the fine point is directly linked to the gross minimum wage. The Road Code establishes that one fine point equals 5% of the national gross minimum wage. When the minimum wage rises, the value of the fine point rises automatically as well.
From 1 July 2026, the gross minimum wage will rise to 4,325 lei. The new fine point will therefore be calculated as follows:
4,325 lei × 5% = 216.25 lei
This formula is important for all drivers because the number of points does not change automatically; rather, it is the leu value of each fine point that changes.
How much you pay if you settle the fine within the legal deadline
Drivers can still pay half of the statutory minimum fine if they settle the penalty within the legal deadline. In practice, for a Class I fine, where the minimum is two fine points, the reduced amount will be 216.25 lei.
For example, if the fine is 2 points, its full value is 432.5 lei. If half of the minimum is paid within the legal deadline, the amount paid is 216.25 lei.
Examples of fines after 1 July 2026
Depending on the offence, penalties may start at several hundred lei and exceed 1,000 lei for more serious acts. For example, a 4-point fine will be 865 lei, while a 6-point fine will be 1,297.5 lei.
| Number of fine points | Value from 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| 2 points | 432.5 lei |
| 3 points | 648.75 lei |
| 4 points | 865 lei |
| 5 points | 1,081.25 lei |
| 6 points | 1,297.5 lei |
| 8 points | 1,730 lei |
| 10 points | 2,162.5 lei |
| 20 points | 4,325 lei |
Fines are not rising because each offence has changed
It is important to understand that individual traffic offences have not each been amended separately. The increase comes from the value of the fine point. If an offence was punishable by 4 fine points, it will remain classified at 4 fine points, but its value in lei will be higher.
In practical terms, the number of points remains that set by the Road Code for each act, but the final amount rises because the fine point becomes more expensive.
Drivers should also pay closer attention to fixed speed cameras
The increase in the fine point comes at a time when road checks are becoming more visible, including through automated monitoring systems. Drivers who frequently use national roads and motorways should also pay attention to areas where speed-checking equipment is in operation.
InfoBuz has also published a useful list of Romania’s fixed e-SIGUR speed cameras, their locations and how the system works, an important topic for drivers who want to avoid penalties and drive defensively.
Who will be most affected
Drivers who commit offences classified in Classes II, III and IV will be most affected, as fines can quickly exceed 1,000 or 2,000 lei. Companies may also receive much higher penalties, because Class V, which applies to legal entities, reaches up to 100 fine points.
Beyond traffic rules, there are other, lesser-known acts that can result in legal problems or penalties. For those who want to learn about more examples, InfoBuz has also prepared an article on things prohibited in Romania that many people did not know about.
What drivers should remember
From 1 July 2026, every traffic offence penalised with fine points will cost more. Even an apparently minor penalty of two points will reach 432.5 lei, while the reduced payment within the legal deadline will be 216.25 lei.
For more serious offences, the amounts rise quickly. A 5-point fine will reach 1,081.25 lei, while a 10-point fine will amount to 2,162.5 lei.
From 1 July 2026, the fine point will rise to 216.25 lei. The lowest road fine for natural persons will be 432.5 lei, while higher penalties may reach several thousand lei.
The increase is linked to the rise in the gross minimum wage to 4,325 lei. For drivers, this means that the same traffic offences will cost more from 1 July 2026.
Frequently asked questions about road fines in 2026
What will the fine point be worth from 1 July 2026?
From 1 July 2026, the fine point will be worth 216.25 lei. The value is calculated as 5% of the gross minimum wage of 4,325 lei.
Why are road fines rising from 1 July 2026?
Fines are increasing because the gross minimum wage is rising to 4,325 lei, while the fine point equals 5% of the national gross minimum wage.
What will the lowest road fine be?
The lowest road fine for natural persons will be 432.5 lei, equivalent to two fine points.
How much do you pay if you settle the fine within the legal deadline?
If the fine is paid within the legal deadline, the driver may pay half of the statutory minimum fine. For a minimum penalty of two points, the reduced amount is 216.25 lei.
Will penalty points also increase?
No. The increase concerns the value in lei of the fine point. Penalty points are applied separately, depending on the offence committed.
{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What will the fine point be worth from 1 July 2026?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”From 1 July 2026, the fine point will be worth 216.25 lei. The value is calculated as 5% of the gross minimum wage of 4,325 lei.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Why are road fines rising from 1 July 2026?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”Fines are increasing because the gross minimum wage is rising to 4,325 lei, while the fine point equals 5% of the national gross minimum wage.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What will the lowest road fine be?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”The lowest road fine for natural persons will be 432.5 lei, equivalent to two fine points.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”How much do you pay if you settle the fine within the legal deadline?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”If the fine is paid within the legal deadline, the driver may pay half of the statutory minimum fine. For a minimum penalty of two points, the reduced amount is 216.25 lei.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Will penalty points also increase?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”No. The increase concerns the value in lei of the fine point. Penalty points are applied separately, depending on the offence committed.”}}]}
Discuția cititorilor
Ai o opinie sau o întrebare despre acest articol? Spune-ne ce crezi.
Fii primul care deschide discuția.
Te rugăm să păstrezi un limbaj civilizat și să discuți la subiect. Comentariile spam sunt filtrate automat.