Driving in Croatia vs. Serbia: Key Differences Explained
When venturing into Croatia or Serbia, understanding the nuances of their road regulations is essential for a safe journey. Key distinctions include speed limits, with Croatia allowing higher speeds on highways, and varying rules on overtaking and alcohol limits. Equip yourself with this knowledge to navigate both countries confidently.
Lanes
| Croatia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
serbia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Markings
croatia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Croatia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 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 |
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
80 km/h
serbia:
70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
130 km/h
serbia:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
croatia:
90 km/h
serbia:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
serbia:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Signals
| Croatia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Serbia |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Croatian; symbols are standard | Serbian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle with red border | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
croatia:
Not used
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
serbia:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
croatia:
Triangle with red border
serbia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Croatia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Varies by city; check for signs |
Right Turn On Red
croatia:
Not allowed
serbia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
U- Turns Allowed
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Documentation
| Croatia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory periodic inspections |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
croatia:
Annual inspection required
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Alcohol
| Croatia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial, varies by severity |
Limits: General Drivers
croatia:
0.05%
serbia:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
serbia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
croatia:
Common
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
croatia:
Can be substantial
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Emergency Services
| Croatia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 92 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or check with your insurance provider | 1987 |
Contact: Traffic Police
croatia:
92
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
serbia:
1987
Penalties And Fines
| Croatia | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines possible | Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; stated at the time of fine | Varies; typically 8 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
croatia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
croatia:
Fines enforced
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
croatia:
Fines enforced
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
croatia:
Significant fines
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
croatia:
Yes, often
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay