The Situation: A Skoda Fabia with an Expired ITP in Central Bucharest
Imagine this: you get into your Skoda Fabia, turn the key, and are hit by an unpleasant realization – the expiry date of your mandatory periodic technical inspection (ITP – Inspecția Tehnică Periodică) has passed. It seems like a minor issue, right? You just need to drive to the nearest inspection station, pass the test, and forget about it. But in Romania, the law is crystal clear: not a single metre on public roads under your own power.
That’s exactly the situation a Skoda Fabia owner in Bucharest’s Sector 2 recently faced. The car was parked in Colentina, and the next step was to move it legally to Pantelimon. The distance is short, but the law makes no exceptions for anyone. Here’s how we solved this task professionally and strictly within the framework of Romanian legislation.
What Is the ITP and Why Is Its Absence a Serious Matter
The ITP is the compulsory periodic technical inspection that confirms a vehicle meets the safety and environmental standards required for driving on public roads. It covers the braking system, steering, suspension, lighting, exhaust emissions, and other critical components.
The frequency of the ITP depends on the age of the vehicle:
- cars younger than 10 years – every two years;
- cars older than 10 years – annually.
It sounds like a routine procedure. But the consequences of missing the deadline are far more severe than they first appear.
The Law Is the Law: What Romanian Legislation Says
According to Article 10, paragraph 1 of Government Emergency Ordinance OUG 195/2002, the periodic technical inspection must be valid at all times while the vehicle is on public roads. Moreover, this rule applies nationwide and to everyone without exception.
When the ITP expires, the vehicle's registration is automatically suspended. This means the car is legally considered unregistered, and driving it on public roads is treated as operating an unregistered vehicle.
Fines: Numbers That Make You Think Twice
In 2026, fines for driving with an expired ITP are among the harshest in Romanian traffic law. The value of one penalty point is 202.5 lei. The offence falls under the 4th class of sanctions – from 9 to 20 penalty points.
Thus, the basic fine for lacking a valid ITP ranges from 1,822.5 to 4,050 lei. But that’s not all.
Since the registration is automatically suspended when the ITP expires, the driver also receives a fine for driving a vehicle with suspended registration – another 20 penalty points (i.e., an additional 4,050 lei).
The total fine can reach between 5,872.5 and 8,100 lei.
In addition, the police have the right to:
- seize the vehicle registration certificate;
- remove the number plates;
- issue a prohibition order against further use.
And that is in the best-case scenario. In more serious cases, criminal consequences may also follow.
The Common Misconception: “It’s Just a Few Streets”
Many drivers think: “What’s the big deal? I’m just going to the ITP station, it’s only a few blocks.” This is a dangerously wrong assumption.
The law clearly states: a vehicle without plates, without an ITP, or without valid RCA (third-party liability insurance) is not allowed to move on public roads, regardless of how short the distance. Even if the inspection station is right across the street – you cannot drive there under your own power.
Furthermore, even a parked car on public property with an expired ITP is considered “in traffic” from a legal standpoint. If a police patrol spots such a vehicle, the owner can be fined just as if they had been stopped while driving. And if the ITP has been expired for more than 6 months and there is no valid RCA, the car may be declared abandoned and impounded by the authorities.
The Only Legal Way: A Tow Truck
When the ITP has expired, the law provides only one method of moving the vehicle – on a tow truck platform. And that platform must be operated by a RAR (Registrul Auto Român – the Romanian Automobile Register) certified towing company, which can pick up the car in any condition – without plates, without ITP, without RCA, or even if it is not drivable – and deliver it to the desired location.
That is exactly what we did in the case of the Skoda Fabia.
Our Case: A Skoda Fabia from Colentina to Pantelimon
Initial details:
- Vehicle: Skoda Fabia
- Location: Colentina area, Sector 2, Bucharest
- Destination: Pantelimon, Sector 2
- Issue: expired ITP
- Task: legally move the vehicle in accordance with the law
Colentina and Pantelimon are districts in the eastern part of Bucharest, connected by Șoseaua Colentina. The distance is short, but as we’ve established, the law makes no exceptions for short distances.
We promptly dispatched one of our platforms to the location. Our team operates 24/7, 7 days a week, and in Bucharest the arrival time is typically 15–30 minutes from the moment of the call.
Why Choosing a Professional Company Matters
Transporting a car with an expired ITP is not just “load and go.” Several critical aspects come into play:
- Legality. Not all companies hold RAR certification. Using an uncertified carrier can lead to additional legal problems, including the possibility that your car may be stopped and fined even during transport.
- Insurance. A professional company provides CMR insurance, which covers any potential damage during transport. Without it, you would have no recourse for compensation in case of damage.
- Transparent pricing. We quote the price immediately over the phone – no hidden surcharges on site. In our practice, the cost for towing in Sector 2 Bucharest starts from 180 lei.
- Proper equipment. Unprofessional towing can damage the gearbox or drivetrain. We use professional equipment – hydraulic forks and Dolly roller systems – which guarantee safe loading and transport, even for all-wheel-drive or automatic transmission vehicles.
What to Do If Your ITP Has Expired – Step‑by‑Step Guide
If you discover that your car’s ITP has expired, follow this checklist to avoid fines and trouble:
- Do not attempt to drive under your own power – not even for the shortest distance. This is a direct violation that can be caught by cameras or patrols.
- Call a professional towing service with RAR certification. Make sure the company holds all necessary licences.
- Arrange transport on a platform to a service centre or an RAR station for the inspection. If the car is not drivable, we use special rollers for loading.
- Get the ITP done. Note: in some cases, especially if the plates have already been removed, the inspection must be carried out at an RAR centre, not at a regular ITP station.
- Re‑register the vehicle after successfully passing the inspection – this is done at the DRPCIV (the local vehicle registration authority).
Conclusion
Our Skoda Fabia was safely delivered from Colentina to Pantelimon on our professional platform – strictly legally, with full compliance with all Romanian legal requirements. The owner avoided huge fines, plate removal, and criminal prosecution.
The technical inspection is not a mere formality. It is a mandatory safety requirement, and Romanian law imposes severe sanctions for violating it. So if your car’s ITP has expired, the only correct decision is to call a professional towing service.
Dracul Tractari operates 24/7 in Bucharest and across Romania. We guarantee fixed prices, professional equipment, and full compliance with the law. Your safety and peace of mind are our top priorities.
Call us anytime: +40 728 746 210. We look forward to helping you!
