Driving in Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Czech Republic
When traveling from Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Czech Republic, understanding the nuances of the road rules is crucial for a safe journey. Key contrasts include speed limits, lane markings, and traffic signals. This guide highlights essential variations that can impact your driving experience, ensuring you navigate the roads responsibly and confidently.
Lanes
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Used for marking no-parking zones. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Used for temporary traffic situations. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
bosnia and herzegovina:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
bosnia and herzegovina:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
Overtaking: On Right
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed in one-way streets or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
czech republic:
Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bicycle symbols, sometimes colored pavement.
czech republic:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, frequently used | Yes, commonly applied |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bosnia and herzegovina:
30 km/h
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
80 km/h
czech republic:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bosnia and herzegovina:
90 km/h
czech republic:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bosnia and herzegovina:
No
czech republic:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bosnia and herzegovina:
N/A
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, frequently used
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
Signals
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used. |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents. |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unreasonable use prohibited | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse | Fines may apply for misuse. |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. |
| Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage | Not to be used to signal other messages | Not to be used to signal other messages. |
| Hand Signals: Permitted | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning | Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning. |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected. |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard | Czech; symbols are standard. |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border. |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
bosnia and herzegovina:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not used
czech republic:
Not used.
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
bosnia and herzegovina:
Signal when exiting
czech republic:
Signal when entering and exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
bosnia and herzegovina:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bosnia and herzegovina:
Unreasonable use prohibited
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
Horn Usage: Penalties
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines may apply for misuse
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
Headlight Flash: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn other drivers of your presence
czech republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
Not to be used to signal other messages
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
Hand Signals: Permitted
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
Hand Signals: Common Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
Traffic Signs: Language
bosnia and herzegovina:
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian; symbols are standard
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
Traffic Signs: Priority
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
Traffic Signs: Warning
bosnia and herzegovina:
Triangle-shaped with red border
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
Turns
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed when not prohibited by a sign | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows | Yes, marked with arrows. |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited | Prohibited. |
Right Turn On Red
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
Left Turn: General
bosnia and herzegovina:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
Left Turn: At Intersections
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
U- Turns Allowed
bosnia and herzegovina:
Allowed when not prohibited by a sign
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
Special Turn Lanes
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, marked with arrows
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
Overtaking While Turning
bosnia and herzegovina:
Prohibited
czech republic:
Prohibited.
Documentation
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required | Valid driver's license required. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required | Accepted without International Driving Permit. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended or required. |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Liability insurance mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory annual inspection | Annual inspection mandatory. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on the windshield. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Requirement
bosnia and herzegovina:
Valid driver's license required
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bosnia and herzegovina:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bosnia and herzegovina:
International Driving Permit recommended
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
Insurance
bosnia and herzegovina:
Liability insurance mandatory
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory annual inspection
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bosnia and herzegovina:
Displayed on windshield
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing Lights: Usage | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake | To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake. |
| Flashing Lights: Misuse | Discouraged, fines may apply | Discouraged, fines may apply. |
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic. |
| Lane Courtesy: Blocking | Discouraged and may be penalized | Discouraged and may be penalized. |
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Only in emergency situations | Only in emergency situations. |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Less frequent use compared to some countries. |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. |
Flashing Lights: Usage
bosnia and herzegovina:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
Flashing Lights: Misuse
bosnia and herzegovina:
Discouraged, fines may apply
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
bosnia and herzegovina:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
bosnia and herzegovina:
Discouraged and may be penalized
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
Use Of Horn: Limited
bosnia and herzegovina:
Only in emergency situations
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bosnia and herzegovina:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
Pedestrians Priority
bosnia and herzegovina:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bosnia and herzegovina:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
bosnia and herzegovina:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
Alcohol
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Zero Tolerance: Drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs | Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Zero Tolerance: Medications | Check if medication affects driving ability | Check if medication affects driving ability. |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, often at checkpoints. |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines possible | Can be substantial. |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses | Possible for severe offenses. |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in license suspension. |
Limits: General Drivers
bosnia and herzegovina:
0.03%
czech republic:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
bosnia and herzegovina:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
Zero Tolerance: Medications
bosnia and herzegovina:
Check if medication affects driving ability
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
Enforcement: Random Checks
bosnia and herzegovina:
Common
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
Enforcement: Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Substantial fines possible
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
Enforcement: Imprisonment
bosnia and herzegovina:
Possible for severe offenses
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
Test Refusal
bosnia and herzegovina:
Can result in license suspension and fines
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
Roundabouts
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Priority: Entering | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout | Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. |
| Priority: Inside | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly | Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly. |
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry. |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit. |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit or straight. |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe. |
Priority: Entering
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Priority: Inside
bosnia and herzegovina:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
Signaling: Entering
bosnia and herzegovina:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
Signaling: Exiting
bosnia and herzegovina:
Signal right when preparing to exit
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
Lane Usage: Right
bosnia and herzegovina:
Use for first exit or straight
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
Lane Usage: Left
bosnia and herzegovina:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
Emergency Services
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 122 | 158 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Usually provided by insurance | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Contact: Traffic Police
bosnia and herzegovina:
122
czech republic:
158
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bosnia and herzegovina:
Usually provided by insurance
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bosnia and herzegovina:
Mandatory
czech republic:
Mandatory.
Penalties And Fines
| Bosnia and herzegovina | Czech republic | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines can be significant | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free | €50 or more. |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines applicable | €100 or higher, points on license. |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Common, cash preferred. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a few weeks | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. |
| Foreign Drivers: Fines | Same as residents; must be paid | Same as residents; must be paid. |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible if fines are not paid. |
Common Fines: Speeding
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; fines can be significant
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
Common Fines: Alcohol
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Phone Use
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines apply, usage prohibited unless hands-free
czech republic:
€50 or more.
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bosnia and herzegovina:
Fines applicable
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
Payment: On The Spot
bosnia and herzegovina:
Yes, often required
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
Payment: Deadline
bosnia and herzegovina:
Varies; typically within a few weeks
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
Foreign Drivers: Fines
bosnia and herzegovina:
Same as residents; must be paid
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
bosnia and herzegovina:
Possible if fines are not paid
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.