Essentials

Driving licence

Visitors riding or driving in Croatia must have reached the minimum age required to drive/ride a vehicle of equivalent category even if they are qualified to drive at a lower age in their country of residence. You must be 18 or over to drive a private vehicle in Croatia.

All valid national driving licences are recognised

Important documents:

Vehicles from the UK may be imported into Croatia for up to 6 months in any period of 12 months. When driving in Croatia the following documents should be carried:

• Full, valid driving licence*
• Proof of Insurance (third party or above)
• Proof of ID (Passport)
• Proof of ownership (V5C Certificate)

While driving in Croatia you are required by law to carry the following items. Hefty on-the-spot fines can be issued for failing to carry specific items:

• Headlamp beam deflectors (Depending on your car, you will either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually)
• Reflective jackets (to be used in the case of a breakdown or accident outside built-up areas, on expressways and on motorways)
• Warning triangle (compulsory in every vehicle with 4 wheels or more)
• First aid kits are compulsory when travelling in Croatia
• Motorcyclists (Safety helmets are compulsory for drivers and passengers of mopeds and motorcycles)
• Lights – Vehicles must have their passing lights (dipped headlights) on at night and in case of bad visibility. These lights must also be switched on during the day in winter, from the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in March (fine 300 HRK). It is compulsory to carry spare bulbs for the vehicle; this does not apply if the vehicle is fitted with xenon, neon, LED or similar lights.

Rules of the road & regulations

Rules of the road

Overtaking & passing

Drive on the right, overtake on the left. The rules are in accordance with the Convention on Road Traffic 1968.

Priority

The rules are in accordance with the 1968 Convention on Road Traffic.

Warning of approach

The horn should be used in moderation, when necessary to avoid an accident.

Towing

It is no longer compulsory to have an inventory list for the caravan. However, visitors are advised to have proof of purchase of expensive items.

A caravan may be left in Croatia if a contract is signed between the campsite owner and the caravan owner.

Maximum length of car + caravan: 15 metres

Snow chains

There is no specific period in which winter equipment must be used. Announcements are made according to the weather conditions. It is generally prudent to have winter equipment ready between the beginning of November and the end of April.

It is compulsory to have snow chains aboard the vehicle. Snow chains must be used if required by the weather conditions (at least 5cm of snow or in case of black ice).The compulsory winter equipment consists of a set of snow chains on the driving axle and a shovel.

Seat belts

It is compulsory for the occupants of all vehicles equipped with seat belts to wear them at all times, on front and rear seats, irrespective of the country of registration of the vehicle.

Travelling with children

Children under 12 are not allowed to travel in the front seats.

An exception is made for children less than 2 years of age who can travel in the front if they are placed in a restraint system adapted to their size, and if it is a rear facing seat, the airbag must be de-activated.

A child up to 5 years must be placed in a seat adapted to his/her size on the rear seat. A child aged between 5 and 12 must travel on the back seat using a 3 point seat belt with booster seat if necessary for his/her height.

Speed limits

In built-up areas:

50 km/h unless otherwise indicated by road signs. On some urban expressways speed limits may be up to 80 km/h, provided that certain technical and safety standards are met.

Outside built-up areas: