Driving in the Czech Republic is much like driving in the rest of Europe, and it’s a good idea to know some of the country’s road rule particularities before traveling there. In this article, you can also find out information on tolls, where you can and cannot park, and what to see while you’re out exploring in the Czech Republic.
General Rules and Regulations
- The driver and all passengers must wear seat belts. Children less than 1.5 meters (4’11”) tall must use safety seats. When children sit in a rear-facing safety seat in the front seat, the airbag must be deactivated.
- In Prague, the use of the car horn is prohibited from 8 pm until 6 am from October to March, and 9 pm until 5 am the rest of the year.
- Drivers must not enter an intersection until the traffic allows them to fully clear the intersection.
- Priority is given to vehicles coming from the right at intersections unless otherwise stated.
- Drivers must slow down and if necessary come to a total stop, to allow buses and trams to merge from their lanes into the normal traffic.
- There is a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol consumption, meaning no alcohol content in the blood is allowed.
- Police can take away your license on the spot for some offenses while drivers are required to comply with Breathalyzer and blood alcohol tests.
Speed Limits in the Czech Republic
Speed limits in the Czech Republic are posted in kilometers. Police can issue on-the-spot fines for speeding or other traffic offenses with immediate payment required. Although maximum limits can vary significantly, these are the general limits that apply when not otherwise signposted.
| Within city limits | 50 km/h (31 mph) |
| Highways outside cities | 90 km/h (56 mph) |
| Motorways | 130 km/h (81 mph) |
Overtaking, Turning and Parking
- Driving in the Czech Republic is on the right and drivers must overtake on the left, signaling must be used and care taken when passing.
- Sometimes signposting will be used to indicate where left turns are OK.
- You cannot make a U-turn or turn right at a red traffic light.
- In two-way traffic you must park on the right-hand side of the road, parallel with the curb.
- Do not park where it will cause a traffic obstruction such as on crossings, on bridges, within 5 meters (16 feet) of an intersection or at a bus or tram stop.
- Solid yellow lines mean parking is forbidden while a dotted yellow line indicates that there are parking restrictions.
- Vehicles not illuminated by streetlights when parking should use a parking light.
Driver License Requirements
On short stays in the Czech Republic of up to 1 year, you may use your U.S driver’s license but you should also apply for an International Driver’s Permit. The application form can be downloaded from the American Automobile Association (AAA) or American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) websites.
Tolls
Most motorways do have a toll charge in the Czech Republic but some are free of charge and will be signposted as “BEZ POPLATKU”.
Car Rental with SIXT in the Czech Republic
With SIXT you can start your car rental adventure in the Czech Republic from our prime location at Vaclav Havel Airport in Prague or from our branches in the cities of Brno, Mosnov and Ostrava. The Czech Republic’s location in the heart of Europe has given the country an immensely varied culture and architecture on display in the form of fairytale castles, Medieval villages, and Baroque mansions. Prague has been crowned one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations and the sight of St. Vitus Cathedral rising up over the city is awe-inspiring.
Czech beer is also infamous and regional breweries can be found all across the country that rival the famous Staropramen and Budvar brands. While the tourist numbers in Prague swell in the summer, across the rural towns and villages of the Czech Republic it is well worth checking out the many summer festivals to see the traditional dances and concerts.
