Vehicle Inspection and Registration Rules

Moldova road tax (vignette): payments are processed automatically in the digital system. Border guards can verify payment via license plate number. If the tax is paid, vehicles are typically not stopped; however, in cases of missing payment, physical checks are conducted, especially by patrols near the borders.

Travel from Latvia to Russia in a car with Latvian license plates is generally permitted even without a valid technical inspection, as Russian authorities typically do not check this. However, Latvian authorities may have their own regulations.

Cars with Ukrainian license plates require a technical inspection (tekhosmotr) for entry into Moldova. This inspection can only be legally performed in Ukraine. Romanian border guards are known to be particularly strict about checking this requirement for Ukrainian vehicles.

It is possible to de-register a vehicle in Moldova without the vehicle present. The process involves submitting an application stating the vehicle has left the country permanently, surrendering license plates, and having the registration certificate (technical passport) canceled. The administrative fee is approximately 50 MDL.

It is generally not possible to obtain a valid technical inspection (TI) for a car with Moldovan (MD) license plates in Belarus or Russia that will be accepted by Lithuanian border control. While Belarusian authorities might issue a document, it is often not recognized by Lithuanian customs. Lithuanian border guards may not accept Belarusian or Russian TIs for Moldovan-registered vehicles. Some users reported being turned back at the Lithuanian border for lacking a valid TI. While Estonia reportedly does not check TIs, Lithuania does. It is advisable to obtain a valid TI in Moldova before traveling. Some anecdotal advice suggests certain border crossings might be less strict, but this is not guaranteed.