More and more Asian workers who live in Romania are trying to obtain a Romanian driving license, either for personal or professional purposes.
This is also because, as of this year, the authorities are allowing the examinations for the necessary taxi or ride-sharing be held in English.
Kulwinderjit is from India and has a company here. Because he desperately needed a car, he went to driving school in Bucharest. In his home country, driving lessons are not compulsory.
Kulwinderjit Singh - Indian national: "The first difference compared to India is that there the system is like in the UK, for example right-hand drive. In New Delhi or Mumbai, it's a disaster. If I can drive there, in my opinion I can drive in any country, in any city. In India, still, every year almost 150-200 thousand people die in traffic accidents. Most of them don't know traffic rules."
So far, 195 Asians have taken the taxi or ride-sharing license exam. 160 have passed and are already working. Many had to get their license here.
Costel Ban - car instructor: "I had a learner from the Philippines who, even though he mastered the car, and in general those who have a license in their country master the car, feel the gauge, have control. He stopped without justification in traffic. Even if he had the right of way, if he saw a car coming from a yielding road, he braked. A little later he told me that, in fact, their rule is that the one who hits head-on is to blame."
Vlad Lubinschy - car instructor: "The vast majority are India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, those who come here to work. A few who take it personally to go on vacation. They, so they can work, get a job faster."
Samir Anwar Imran - Pakistani national: "When I came here, I needed a car. I also got my license and bought a car, I've been driving since 2008. And category C? Now I have the training. If I can get a job somewhere or have better offers, that's why I thought."
However, the number of foreigners in passenger transport is still low. Although they are needed in the labor market, it's too expensive for employers to bring them into the country.
Yosef Gavriel Peisakh - recruitment agency manager: "This whole procedure takes 5-6-7 months, at least with the driving license exchange. During that period, the foreigner stays in our country. But basically, he cannot work on the same work permit."
According to the General Inspectorate for Immigration, there are over 120 000 foreign workers in Romania. Most come from Nepal, Sri Lanka and India.
