Roads in Romania are generally poor with numerous potholes, horse carts and speed traps. Drum National (DN) roads are the main roads and European (E) routes, while Drum Judetean (DJ) are county routes. Speed limits are 120kph (75mph) on a few motorways (autostrada), but more often 90kph (55mph) on other roads outside built-up areas and 50kph to 70pkh (30mph to 40mph) within cities. Only the motorway along the Black Sea coast charges a toll. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.01%, practically meaning that even the smallest amount is forbidden - arrest results in loss of licence. Driver and passengers must wear seat belts. It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving. The minimum driving age is 18 years. Visitors need to carry an International Driving Permit or national driving licence with photo, issued in their own country. EU nationals with their own cars need a Green Card insurance document.

The Romanian Automobile Club - ACR (tel: (021) 222 2222; website: http://acr.ro) has reciprocal agreements with a number of foreign automobile associations and members are automatically covered in the event of breakdown.

Emergency breakdown service: ACR (tel: 9271).

Routes to the city: Bucharest is connected to the rest of the country by four motorways - the E70 from Pitesti, the E60 from Brasov via Ploiesti, the E85 from Giurgiu on the Bulgarian border and the E60 from Constanta on the Black Sea coast.

Approximate driving times to Bucharest: From Ploiesti - 1 hour; Giurgiu - 1 hour; Pitesti - 1 hour 15 minutes; Brasov - 2 hours 30 minutes; Constanta - 3 hours 30 minutes.

Coach services: Coaches travel to both Romanian and international cities but most are reached more quickly and comfortably by rail. Eurolines, Buzesti 44 (tel: (021) 316 3661; website: http://eurolines.ro), offers direct buses to Paris, Athens, Rome, Berlin and other destinations in Europe. Coaches leave from a few locations, including this one. You can buy tickets from the driver but visitors are advised to purchase their tickets in advance, particularly for international destinations.