Bucharest Court Suspends Driver's License Suspension for Unpaid Fines

The Bucharest Court of Appeal has temporarily halted a government measure that would have suspended driver's licenses for unpaid traffic fines. This decision means authorities can no longer implement the system, which was established by Government Decision No. 530 of July 9, 2026.

Under the suspended procedure, drivers with outstanding traffic fines would receive a 90-day notice to pay. Failure to comply would result in their license being suspended, with the suspension duration calculated based on the amount owed – one day suspended for every 50 lei not paid. The court's ruling does not permanently cancel the measure but prevents its application until the government's appeal is resolved or a new court decision is made.

The government has announced its intention to appeal the court's decision. The upcoming appeal will determine whether the suspension remains in effect or if the measure can be enforced while the cases for its annulment are being heard. Until a final ruling, the mere non-payment of a fine cannot trigger a license suspension through this specific mechanism.

Despite the blocked suspension procedure, unpaid fines remain debts to local budgets. Authorities retain the ability to use existing methods for debt recovery, including account garnishment and enforced collection, to reclaim owed amounts.