Driving in Croatia vs. Thailand: Key Safety Differences
When exploring the roads of Croatia and Thailand, travelers will encounter distinct traffic regulations and cultural norms that shape their driving experiences. Key differences include driving sides, speed limits, and emergency protocols. Understanding these nuances is vital for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in both countries.
Lanes
| Croatia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Prohibited |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Driving Side
croatia:
Right
thailand:
Left
Overtaking: On Right
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
thailand:
Prohibited
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
croatia:
Use rightmost lane.
thailand:
Use leftmost lane.
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Croatia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 50-60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 90-120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | N/A |
Urban Areas: Standard
croatia:
50 km/h
thailand:
50-60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
croatia:
30 km/h
thailand:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
80 km/h
thailand:
60-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
130 km/h
thailand:
90-120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
90 km/h
thailand:
80-90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
thailand:
N/A
Signals
| Croatia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Thailand |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Croatian; symbols are standard | Thai; some signs include English |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle with red border | Warning signs are triangular |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
croatia:
Not used
thailand:
Not used in Thailand
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
croatia:
Signal when entering and exiting
thailand:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
thailand:
Thai; some signs include English
Traffic Signs: Warning
croatia:
Triangle with red border
thailand:
Warning signs are triangular
Turns
| Croatia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs |
U- Turns Allowed
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
thailand:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Croatia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Mandatory for registration renewal |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield after passing inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
croatia:
Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
thailand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
croatia:
Annual inspection required
thailand:
Mandatory for registration renewal
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
croatia:
Displayed on windshield
thailand:
Displayed on windshield after passing inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
croatia:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Croatia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Frequent use to alert other drivers |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
croatia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
thailand:
Frequent use to alert other drivers
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
croatia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
thailand:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Croatia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common, especially during holidays |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial fines and possible imprisonment |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
thailand:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
thailand:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
croatia:
Common
thailand:
Common, especially during holidays
Enforcement: Fines
croatia:
Can be substantial
thailand:
Substantial fines and possible imprisonment
Test Refusal
croatia:
Can result in license suspension
thailand:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Croatia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit | Signal left when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
croatia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
thailand:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
croatia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
thailand:
Use for subsequent exits, move to left lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Croatia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 191 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 92 | 1193 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or local authorities |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
croatia:
112
thailand:
191
Contact: Traffic Police
croatia:
92
thailand:
1193
Contact: Roadside Assistance
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
thailand:
Check with your insurance provider or local authorities
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
croatia:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
thailand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Croatia | Thailand | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines possible | Varies; fines start from ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | Fines up to ฿500 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines | Fines start from ฿500 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often | Common; fines can be paid at the scene |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; stated at the time of fine | Varies; typically within 7 days |
Common Fines: Speeding
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
thailand:
Varies; fines start from ฿500
Common Fines: Alcohol
croatia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
thailand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
croatia:
Fines enforced
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Phone Use
croatia:
Fines enforced
thailand:
Fines up to ฿500
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
croatia:
Significant fines
thailand:
Fines start from ฿500
Payment: On The Spot
croatia:
Yes, often
thailand:
Common; fines can be paid at the scene
Payment: Deadline
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine
thailand:
Varies; typically within 7 days