Driving in Croatia vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When it comes to navigating the roads of Croatia and the United Kingdom, understanding the distinct regulations and practices is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. From driving sides to speed limits and signage, this comparison highlights the notable contrasts that travelers must keep in mind to promote safer travel experiences abroad.
Lanes
| Croatia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
croatia:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
croatia:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
croatia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
croatia:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
croatia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
croatia:
Not commonly practiced.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
croatia:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
croatia:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
croatia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
croatia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
croatia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
croatia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
croatia:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
croatia:
N/A
united kingdom:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Croatia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
croatia:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
croatia:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
croatia:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
croatia:
130 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
croatia:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
croatia:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
croatia:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
croatia:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
croatia:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
croatia:
Yes
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Croatia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Croatian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle with red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
croatia:
Not used
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Traffic Signs: Language
croatia:
Croatian; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
croatia:
Triangle with red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Croatia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
croatia:
Not allowed
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
croatia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
croatia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
croatia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Croatia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted temporarily; no International Driving Permit necessary for EEA citizens | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
croatia:
International Driving Permit required
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
croatia:
Annual inspection required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
croatia:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
croatia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Croatia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
croatia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Croatia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
croatia:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
croatia:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
croatia:
Common
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
croatia:
Can be substantial
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Croatia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
croatia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
croatia:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Croatia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 92 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 188 or check with your insurance provider | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
croatia:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
croatia:
92
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
croatia:
188 or check with your insurance provider
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
croatia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
croatia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Croatia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines possible | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines enforced | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; stated at the time of fine | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
croatia:
Varies; significant fines possible
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
croatia:
Fines enforced
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
croatia:
Fines enforced
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
croatia:
Significant fines
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
croatia:
Yes, often
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
croatia:
Varies; stated at the time of fine
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay