Driving in Czech Republic

Driving is a great way to experience everything the Czech Republic (also known as Czechia) has to offer, as you can quickly travel between towns and forests. 

But if you’re planning a road trip to Czech Republic, it’s essential you’re fully prepared ahead of time as driving there has many differences to the UK. 

To make your journey to Central Europe as safe and effortless as possible, we’ve put together a guide to everything you need to know before you go, from required documents to rules of the road.  

Driving a rented vehicle? Jump to the advice for driving a hire car in Czech Republic section.

RAC European Breakdown Cover (Basic and Comprehensive) provides a wide range of benefits should you breakdown in Czech Republic to ensure you stay safe. 

To supplement this, RAC also offers travel insurance. Cover will include medical expenses, baggage, personal money and belongings, among many other benefits.

Need short-term insurance for your vehicle? Our temporary car cover is perfect if you're looking for flexible insurance for between 1 hour and 30 days.

• A valid, full UK driving licence (you must also be 18 or over)
• Your motor insurance certificate
• The V5 registration document for your own car or the hire car paperwork for a rental

Do I need a GB or UK sticker for driving in Czech Republic?

From 28th September 2021, the distinguishing mark (or national identifier) displayed on vehicles registered in the United Kingdom that are driven abroad will change from GB to UK.  

This means that vehicles registered in the UK must display the letters “UK” when driven in Czech Republic.   

The identifier can be incorporated in vehicle number plates (along with the Union Flag) or as a separate sticker. Note that vehicles featuring the letters GB together with the Council of Europe golden stars are no longer valid for driving abroad.

If your vehicle does not have the UK identifier within the number plate, you will require a UK sticker when driving in Czech Republic. GB stickers will no longer be valid from the end of September.

Do I need an insurance green card?

From 2nd August 2021, drivers will no longer require an insurance green card for taking their vehicles to Czech Republic.

ETIAS – 2025

ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is a visa program for visitors who don’t need a Schengen visa, who want to travel to the European Union and a few other European countries.

Visitors who purchase an ETIAS will be able to enter the 26 member states of the Schengen Zone as well as Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania.

This will be launching in 2025. Learn more about ETIAS here.

Aside from the documents above, there are some legally-required items you must bring with you to drive in Czech Republic.

Unless your headlights can be adjusted, it's a legal requirement to carry headlamp converters (stickers for your headlights when driving on the right, so your lights don't dazzle motorists coming the other way).

A warning triangle is also compulsory to carry in vehicles in case of a breakdown.

It's also recommended to have:

• Spare bulbs for your car's external lights
• A fire extinguisher 
• A first-aid kit
• A reflective jacket
• Antifreeze in the windscreen fluid if you’re driving in winter

You can pick up all the car kit you need from RAC Shop.

Is there anything that I shouldn’t take with me?

Be aware that you cannot take the following with you into the Czech Republic:

• meat or products containing meat
• milk or dairy products

You cannot take the following unless you pay to have them inspected before you leave and get a ‘phytosanitary certificate’:

• fresh fruit (apart from bananas, coconuts, dates, pineapples and durians)
• vegetables
• plants
• plant products

• Winter tyres are compulsory between 1 November and 31 March when compacted snow or ice are on the road. They are also necessary whenever the temperature is below 4 degrees and there is a possibility of ice or snow on the road.
• Use dipped headlights during the daytime all year round and on all roads
• Wear a crash helmet if you're riding a motorcycle or moped
• In Czech Republic, you drive on the right and overtake on the left. Vehicles from the right generally have priority
• Horns should only be used when an audible warning is required to prevent an accident. In central Prague, use of a horn is prohibited between 2100 and 0500 in summer months, and between 2000 and 0600 during the winter
• To use motorways and expressways in the Czech Republic, you’ll need a vignette that can be purchased at border points, post offices and some petrol stations. The cost for a month is 440 CZK (around £15)
• If you're caught committing a minor driving offence while travelling through Czech Republic, you could be given an on-the-spot fine of up to 5,000 CZK (around £170)
• Seat belts must be worn in all seats where a belt is available
• Children under 150cm in height must use an appropriate restraint or child seat in the front and rear seats. Children are only allowed to use a rear-facing restraint in the front passenger seat if the airbag is turned off
• The drink-drive limit for all drivers is a strict 0.00%. Random tests are carried out and drivers must always submit to a test at the request of the police, even if there are no grounds for suspicion
• Radar detectors that interfere with police equipment are prohibited, although POI detectors can be used

In built-up areas, the maximum speed allowed is 50km/h, or 80km/h on urban expressways. Other limits may be indicated by local signage. Outside urban areas, the limit is 90km/h. On motorways, the limit is 130km/h.

• There plenty of petrol stations on the motorways and in main towns and cities, many of which are open 24 hours, though very few have automatic pumps
• Parking can be limited in built-up areas, with restricted zones signposted. Parking fines range from 1,500 to 2,500 CZK (around £50-85). Wheel clamps and towing are both used in Czech Republic
• In Prague, stricter parking regulations are in place, with the city split into three parking zones that have different restrictions. Check before you travel to ensure you don’t get caught out 
• Unleaded petrol and diesel are readily available throughout Czech Republic, as is LPG – known as “plyn”

In an emergency

112 - Here's a really important bit of knowledge; you can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you're visiting.

Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French.

Breaking down in Czech Republic

RAC offers great-value, flexible RAC European breakdown cover tailored to meet your needs. We also offer comprehensive travel insurance, including cover for medical expenses, baggage, personal money and belongings.

Not all of the information in the guide above will be relevant to those looking to rent a hire car in Czech Republic.

Though it might be a good idea to read through everything anyway, here are the most important things to know for drivers of rental vehicles:

Rental information

• The minimum age to hire a car is 21
• You need a full, valid UK driving licence and usually a second proof of ID (passport)
• Some car rental companies ask that you have held your licence for a minimum term of 1 year
• It is likely that car rental companies will require you to use a credit card for deposit
• You may not be able to drive outside of Czech Republic unless planned in advance - check with your hire company first
• Make sure you get car hire excess insurance before your trip to protect yourself from unexpected costs. It's almost always cheaper to do this with a separate insurer and in advance

Hire car driving tips

• Czechs drive on the right and overtake on the left - the opposite to the UK
• In built-up areas, the maximum speed allowed is 50km/h, or 80km/h on urban expressways. Other limits may be indicated by local signage. Outside urban areas, the limit is 90km/h. On motorways, the limit is 130km/h
• Dial 112 in an emergency
• It’s compulsory to wear seat belts in the front and rear seats
• The blood alcohol content limit for drivers of private vehicles is strictly 0.0%

UK Government travel advice

See up-to-date travel advice