According to the explanatory note accompanying the draft legislation, the extension is intended to give transport operators additional time to adapt their systems, recruit specialised personnel, and address persistent technical issues associated with the digital platform. The ordinance aims to suspend specific provisions of GEO no. 41/2022, which concern penalties for non-compliance with obligations such as GPS tracking, ITU code usage, and the proper functioning of monitoring devices.
UNTRR has repeatedly raised concerns about serious operational challenges with the RO e-Transport system. These include frequent errors in the official API, instability of the mobile application, and a lack of clear procedures for common scenarios such as trailer changes or delayed unloading. The absence of a user guide and the lack of English language support further complicate compliance for international carriers.
“The system is not yet stable enough to allow full automation or efficient use, despite significant investment from the transport sector,” UNTRR stated. “Carriers are facing additional costs due to the need for manual operations, particularly outside business hours.”
The Ministry of Finance acknowledged these issues in the explanatory note, noting that transport firms require more time to integrate the RO e-Transport system into their IT infrastructure and to test the solutions under real-world conditions.
The Ministry also cited Romania’s recent accession to the Schengen area as an additional factor, pointing out that the resulting increase in international road traffic has placed further pressure on operators.
At the start of April, UNTRR also held discussions with representatives of the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF) regarding the requirement for drivers transiting Romania to install the RO e-Transport app—a condition not explicitly backed by law. While anti-fraud inspectors later clarified that goods in transit are not subject to the e-Transport system, initial miscommunication caused delays and disruptions at the border.
As a longer-term solution, UNTRR has proposed recognising the G2V2 smart tachograph—mandatory for new vehicles from 21 August 2023—as a compliant alternative. The device already records border crossings, driving times, and loading/unloading activities in line with EU regulations.
“The smart tachograph can provide the authorities with all necessary transport data without imposing an additional burden on operators,” the association argues.
The draft ordinance, if adopted, would represent a balancing measure aimed at fostering compliance without penalising companies still grappling with technical adaptation.
