Driving Differences: Croatia vs. Italy Explained
Croatia and Italy offer distinct driving experiences that every traveler should understand for enhanced road safety. Key differences include lane markings, speed limits, and enforcement practices. While Croatia has stricter rules on certain substances, Italy features variable speed limits. Familiarizing yourself with these variations is crucial for a smooth journey in either country.
Lanes
| Croatia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
croatia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
croatia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
Overtaking: On Right
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
italy:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Croatia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation |
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
80 km/h
italy:
70 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
croatia:
90 km/h
italy:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
90 km/h
italy:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
italy:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
italy:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
croatia:
Yes
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
Signals
| Croatia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Used; prepare to go when green appears |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Croatian; symbols are standard | Italian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle with red border | Triangle-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
croatia:
Not used
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
italy:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
croatia:
Triangle with red border
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Croatia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by locality; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
croatia:
Not allowed
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
Documentation
| Croatia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on license plate |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
croatia:
Annual inspection required
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
croatia:
Displayed on windshield
italy:
Displayed on license plate
Alcohol
| Croatia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used frequently |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial |
Enforcement: Random Checks
croatia:
Common
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
Enforcement: Fines
croatia:
Can be substantial
italy:
Substantial
Emergency Services
| Croatia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 92 | 113 (State Police) |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or check with your insurance provider | 116 (ACI) |
Contact: Traffic Police
croatia:
92
italy:
113 (State Police)
Contact: Roadside Assistance
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
italy:
116 (ACI)
Penalties And Fines
| Croatia | Italy | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines possible | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Varies; fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines apply, strict enforcement |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines | Fines apply, may include points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often | Possible, especially for foreign drivers |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; stated at the time of fine | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
Common Fines: Seat Belts
croatia:
Fines enforced
italy:
Varies; fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
croatia:
Fines enforced
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
croatia:
Significant fines
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
Payment: On The Spot
croatia:
Yes, often
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
Payment: Deadline
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days