www.hr - Croatian homepage since 1994.

Car Transport

Minimum driving age is 18.

Valid document is the international driving license. Third party insurance is obligatory. The wearing of seatbelts is compulsory.

Traffic regulations are similar to those in force in other European countries (right-hand traffic!!!). For driving in Croatia during the winter months, especially in the Gorski Kotar region, winter tires are essential and in extreme cases snow chains have to be used.

Speed limits: On overland roads 100 km/h, on motorways 130 km/h and in built-up areas 50 km/h unless otherwise stipulated.

Drunken driving (permissible alcohol limit 0.0 promiles) is punishable and can lead to confiscation of driving license and severe fines.

Petrol pumps are open from 7 am to 7 or 8 pm every day; in the summer season till 10 pm; on-duty petrol pumps in bigger cities and on main international roads are open non-stop; all pumps sell Eurosuper 95, Super 98, Normal and Eurodiesel.

Taxi service is available in all cities and tourist places.

Car rentals are available in all bigger cities, tourist centers and airports.

Motorways

The motorway system in Croatia is not as extensive as other European countries, but is improving rapidly; there is currently about 250km of motorway in country. The motorway from Zagreb to Split, with connections to Zadar and Sibenik, was opened in 2005. There is major road-building going on in Istria that will connect Croatia to the Italian motorway system. Work has started on certain sections of the motorway between Split and Dubrovnik. There are also plans to bypass the Neum corrider in Bosnia by building a bridge between the mainland and the Peljesac peninsula.

Tolls are paid in proportion to the length of the used section and according to the corresponding vehicle group. At toll stations of Hrvatske autoceste d.o.o. (HAC), toll can be paid in cash, by credit cards American Express, Diners, MasterCard, VISA, by cheques and by means of subscription. Toll can also be paid in foreign currencies according to the exchange rate on the day of toll payment.

On motorways in the Republic of Croatia, two toll systems are applied: the open and the closed toll system. On road structures (bridges, tunnels) and on shorter motorway sections, the open toll system is applied. In such system, the toll station is at the same time the point of entry and exit so that collection is made immediately, according to the corresponding vehicle collection group. On motorways with several entrances and exits closed toll collection system is in place. This means that the motorway user while entering the motorway gets the toll card which is paid while exiting the motorway.