How to challenge a traffic fine in Romania: the contravention complaint
In short
A traffic fine is challenged through a contravention complaint (plângere contravențională), filed within 15 days of receiving the official report (handed to you on the spot or served by post). The complaint goes to the local court (judecătoria) of the place where the offence happened or of your domicile, is exempt from stamp duty (only a 20 lei judicial fee applies) and suspends payment of the fine until a final court decision.
Updated on:
You have received a traffic fine you consider unfair — a speed camera in an unclear zone, a report with wrong details, an offence you did not commit. The law gives you a clear tool: the contravention complaint, through which a judge reviews the report. The key is to meet the 15-day deadline and to have real grounds.
The golden rule: 15 days and suspended payment
Two essential things to remember:
- The 15-day term runs from the date you received the report (on the spot or by post). It is a strict deadline — after it, the right to contest is generally lost.
- The complaint suspends payment. From the moment you file it, you are no longer required to pay the fine until the court issues a final decision. So you do not pay “just to be safe” and then contest — the complaint itself stops enforcement.
When it is worth contesting
A challenge has real chances, rather than merely delaying payment, when there is a concrete reason:
- Formal defects in the report: wrong identification data, incorrect place or date, missing mandatory elements, an unclear description of the deed;
- The deed did not happen or is not attributable to you (you were not driving, the traffic light was faulty, signage was missing) — and you can prove it;
- A disproportionate sanction — you ask, alternatively, for the fine to be replaced with a warning.
If you have none of these grounds, the complaint merely postpones the inevitable. Assess it objectively before starting the process.
Steps to follow
- Check the 15-day deadline. The term runs from the date the report was handed to you (if given on the spot) or served by post. After 15 days the report generally becomes enforceable and can no longer be challenged — file the complaint in time.
- Examine the report for defects. A challenge stands a chance if the report has errors: wrong details (name, plate number, place, date), missing mandatory elements, an unclear description of the deed, or a missing signature of the officer or witness where required. Note exactly what you contest.
- Draft the contravention complaint. The complaint states: your details, the report's number and date, the issuing officer/institution, the factual and legal reasons for contesting it, and what you ask for (annulment of the report or replacing the fine with a warning). Attach a copy of the report and your evidence (photos, witnesses).
- File the complaint with the competent court. The complaint is filed with the local court in whose district the offence took place or the one at your domicile/seat. You can file in person, by registered post, or, in many courts, electronically. You pay the 20 lei judicial stamp fee.
- Attend the hearing. The court sets a hearing (usually within 30 days) and summons the parties. You can argue the complaint yourself or through a lawyer. The court checks the report's legality and merits and may annul the sanction, reduce it, or dismiss the complaint.
- Await the decision and, if needed, appeal. The local court's decision can be appealed to the tribunal within the legal term. Until the decision becomes final, enforcement of the fine remains suspended.
Required documents
- The contravention complaint, drafted and signed
- A copy of the offence report (procesul-verbal)
- Proof of payment of the judicial stamp fee (20 lei)
- The evidence supporting your challenge: photos, recordings, witness statements, other documents
- A copy of your identity document
Costs
| What you pay | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Judicial stamp fee | 20 lei | Contravention complaints are exempt from the ordinary stamp duty; only this judicial fee applies |
| Lawyer's fee (optional) | Variable | Not mandatory; you may represent yourself |
| The contested fine | Suspended | You do not pay it until a final decision; if you lose, you pay it afterwards |
Fees change over time. Always check the current amounts on the official websites listed under “Official sources”.
How long it takes
The complaint is filed within 15 days of receiving the report. The court usually sets a hearing within 30 days of registration, but a final resolution (with a possible appeal) can take from a few months to over a year, depending on the court.
Frequently asked questions
If I file a complaint, do I still have to pay the fine within 15 days?
No. Filing the contravention complaint suspends enforcement of the fine until the court decision becomes final. You pay nothing while the case is ongoing; if you lose, you pay the fine after the final decision.
Can I just ask for the fine to be replaced with a warning?
Yes. In the complaint you can ask either for annulment of the report or, alternatively, for the fine to be replaced with a warning — the court may find the deed of low gravity and apply only a warning.
What if I missed the 15-day deadline?
As a rule you lose the right to contest and the report becomes enforceable. In exceptional cases, with solid reasons for the delay, the court may consider a request to restore the term — but that is at its discretion and not guaranteed.
Can I lose my licence if I lose the case?
The challenge covers the whole report, including complementary sanctions (penalty points, licence suspension). These are also suspended during the case; if the complaint is finally dismissed, the complementary sanctions become enforceable.
Is it worth contesting every fine?
Not automatically. A challenge makes sense when you have real grounds — formal defects in the report or evidence that the deed did not happen or is not attributable to you. A groundless complaint only delays payment; assess your chances objectively first.