In order for your journey to the desired destination to go as smoothly as possible, we bring you a list of the main safety regulations of conduct on the roads in Croatia.
DOCUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT
No matter which vehicle you are driving, a car, a scooter or a camper van, you must have with you a valid driving license, registration document and the certificate of vehicle insurance. Apart from the vehicle documents, it is necessary to always have a valid travel document, a passport or an identity card. Apart from the documents, all vehicles must have a set of compulsory vehicle equipment, which includes a Euro triangle, a first aid box, a set of light bulbs with fuses H4, H7 or H7/H1 (depending on the vehicle model), pair of gloves and a reflective vest. Between 15th November and 15th April, the compulsory equipment also includes mandatory winter equipment on sections of the public roads in Croatia which are susceptible to winter conditions. The winter equipment for vehicles of permitted maximum weight of up to 3.5 tonnes includes winter tyres (M S) on all wheels or summer tyres with a minimum tread depth of 4 mm and snow chains on the driving wheels.
ROADS IN CROATIA
Apart from the county and local roads, Croatia is also connected by a network of fast roads and motorways. On fast roads and motorways, tolls are charged for distances of road sections between two pay points, according to the vehicle category. Tolls are payable at toll booths and can be paid in cash, cards for which a visible sign is displayed at toll booths, as well as using prepaid electronic toll payment (ENC devices). Well known as a country of a thousand islands, connections between the Croatian mainland and the islands is excellent, especially in the high season. Some islands, such as Krk, Pag, Vir, Murter and Čiovo are connected to the mainland by bridges. A toll used to be payable for all vehicle categories for the use of the bridge to the island of Krk. The bridge toll was abolished on 15th June 2020. You can find accurate information about tolls in Croatia on the HAK website. You can reach other islands using a scheduled ferry line. You can find information about sailing timetables at the Jadrolinija website.
PERMITTED SPEED
All vehicle drivers should respect the permitted speed or speeds limited by a traffic sign and adapt to the road properties and conditions, as well as to weather conditions.
Limitations according to road types
- inhabited areas – 50 km/h
- outside of inhabited areas, depending on traffic signalisation – maximum 90 km/h
- fast roads and roads intended for motor vehicle traffic – 110 km/h
- motorways – 130 km/h
Limitations according to vehicle types
- tourist trains – 20 km/h
- tractors or vehicles towing a broken down vehicle – 40 km/h
- motor vehicles with trailers transporting people and buses with standing places – 50 km/h
- articulated buses without standing places – 70 km/h
- buses which transport children – 80 km/h
- buses, motor vehicles of weight over 3.5 tonnes and motor vehicles towing an auxiliary vehicle without brakes (caravans) – 80 km/h
Anticipated fines for speeding in inhabited areas
- speeding by over 50 km/h – a monetary fine of between 5.000 and 15.000 kn or a prison sentence of up to 60 days, 3 penalty points/endorsements
- speeding by between 30 and 50 km/h – a monetary fine in the amount of 2.000 kn, 2 penalty points/endorsements
- speeding by between 20 and 30 km/h – a monetary fine in the amount of 1.000 kn, 1 penalty point/endorsement
- speeding by between 10 and 20 km/h – a monetary fine in the amount of 500 kn
- speeding by up to 10 km/h – a monetary fine in the amount of 300 kn
Anticipated fines for speeding outside of inhabited areas
- speeding by over 50 km/h – a monetary fine of between 3.000 and 7.000 kn, 3 penalty points/endorsements
- speeding by between 30 and 50 km/h – a monetary fine in the amount of 1.000 kn
- speeding by between 10 and 30 km/h – a monetary fine in the amount of 500 kn
FUEL PRICES
As fuel prices vary at some petrol stations depending on the company’s pricing policy, we bring you the current fuel prices in Croatia, but also in Europe.
ROAD ACCIDENT PROCEDURE
Regardless of whether you are involved yourselves in a road accident or were just a driver who happened to be there at the time, you are obliged to inform the police about the road accident by dialling 192, except in the cases of road accidents resulting in only minor material damage. If it concerns a road accident with larger material damage and injured persons, secure the scene of the accident by placing a triangle and wait for the arrival of the police and the ambulance services. If it concerns a road accident with only minor material damage to the vehicles, it is necessary to remove the vehicles from the road in order to facilitate an unhindered flow of traffic and to complete and sign a European Accident Report Form. You can find detailed information about what to do in the event of a road accident in Croatia on the Ministry of Internal Affairs website.
In the event of a breakdown of your vehicle or the need to tow your vehicle to a garage, dial number 1987 – Emergency road assistance (if calling from abroad, enter the code number for Croatia, +385, before the quoted number).
DRIVING ON ROUNDABOUTS
Traffic roundabouts are built with the aim to increase traffic safety, reduce possible vehicle contact points at poorly visible crossroads and increase the traffic flow. The traffic flows circularly and anti-clockwise. Vehicles entering the roundabout must cede the right of way to vehicles which are already engaged on the roundabout. In the case of more than one lane on the roundabout, the inside lane is used by vehicles which are not leaving the roundabout at the first exit, while the right-hand lane is used for immediate exit from the roundabout. You do not drive in this lane if leaving the roundabout at the last exit. You can see what driving on roundabouts looks like in reality here.
WEB CAMERAS
Before setting off on your journey, check the situation on Croatian roads, border crossings, ferry ports and bridges.
CAMPING IN AREAS OUTSIDE REGISTERED CAMPSITES
Camping in areas outside the registered campsites in Croatia is punishable and not permitted. Croatia abounds in different category campsites, but also in caravan rest areas – situated even at the very campsite entrances.
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
- 112 (+385 112) is a unique number for emergency services which are used in Croatia. It is available free of charge from all public telephone networks, any time of day and night. This is the number which encompasses the services of urgent medical assistance, fire, police, mountain rescue services, urgent veterinary assistance and other services and operational forces of protection and rescue.
- 192 (+385 192) Police
- 193 (+385 193) Fire
- 194 (+385 194) Ambulance services/urgent medical assistance
- 1987 (+385 1 1987) Emergency road assistance
- 195 (+385 1 195) National centre for sea search and rescue
- 11888 (+385 1 11888) Information on local and inter-city telephone numbers
- 11802 (+385 1 11802) Information on international telephone numbers
- 060 520 520 (+385 60 520 520) Weather forecast and road conditions
If you are calling from abroad or using a mobile device with a foreign number, before dialling numbers in Croatia, dial the code number for Croatia first +385, as quoted on the above list.
The unique telephone number for tourist information for the whole of Croatia is 062 999 999. If calling from abroad, dial +385 62 999 999. The information service is available in Croatian, English, German and Italian languages.
IMPORTANT NOTES
-
-
- Permitted concentration of alcohol in the blood while driving is 0.05 ‰. Permitted concentration of alcohol in the blood for persons under the age of 24 years is 0.00 ‰.
- Use of seat belts during the ride is compulsory on all seats.
- It is forbidden to use mobile phones while driving.
- Motorbike drivers must wear a helmet while driving.
- Driving with headlights is compulsory even during the day time during the winter time period. Our recommendation is driving with headlights even during the summer time period.
-
Failing to observe the above safety regulations is strictly punishable.