Czech Republic vs. India: A Driving Safety Comparison
Discover the unique nuances of motoring in the Czech Republic and India, where road conventions and regulations vary significantly. Key distinctions include driving on opposite sides, variable speed limits, and distinct traffic signaling. Understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in each country.
Lanes
| Czech republic | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for marking no-parking zones. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary traffic situations. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Yes | No |
| Overtaking: On Right | Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Yes, but only when safe. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some metropolitan areas |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Yes, in some areas |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Driving Side
czech republic:
Right
india:
Left
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
czech republic:
Used for marking no-parking zones.
india:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
czech republic:
Used for temporary traffic situations.
india:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
czech republic:
Yes
india:
No
Overtaking: On Right
czech republic:
Only on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
czech republic:
Use rightmost lane.
india:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
czech republic:
Yes
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
Bus Lanes: Usage
czech republic:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
Bus Lanes: Markings
czech republic:
Labeled 'BUS' or specific road signs.
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
czech republic:
Yes
india:
Yes, in some areas
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
czech republic:
Yes
india:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
india:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Czech republic | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 40-50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 60-70 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 80-120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 60-80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Yes, in major cities and highways |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly applied | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
czech republic:
50 km/h
india:
40-50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
czech republic:
20-30 km/h
india:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
czech republic:
90 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
czech republic:
90 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
czech republic:
90 km/h
india:
60-70 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
czech republic:
130 km/h
india:
80-120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
czech republic:
100 km/h
india:
80-100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
czech republic:
80-90 km/h
india:
60-80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
czech republic:
Yes
india:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
czech republic:
Electronic signs display current limits.
india:
N/A
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
czech republic:
Yes
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
czech republic:
Yes, commonly applied
india:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Czech republic | India | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 in India |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only in cases to avoid accidents. | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas. | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Horn Usage: Penalties | Fines may apply for misuse. | Fines may apply for misuse |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking. | 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. | More common due to varied vehicle conditions |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Czech; symbols are standard. | English and local languages; 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. | Triangular with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
czech republic:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
india:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
czech republic:
Not used.
india:
Not used in India
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
czech republic:
Signal when entering and exiting
india:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
czech republic:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
india:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
czech republic:
Unnecessary use prohibited in most areas.
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
czech republic:
Fines may apply for misuse.
india:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
czech republic:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
india:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
czech republic:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
india:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
czech republic:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
india:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
czech republic:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
Traffic Signs: Language
czech republic:
Czech; symbols are standard.
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Priority
czech republic:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
india:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
Traffic Signs: Warning
czech republic:
Triangle-shaped with red border.
india:
Triangular with red border
Turns
| Czech republic | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow. | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs. | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows. | Yes, marked with arrows |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited. | Prohibited |
Right Turn On Red
czech republic:
Generally not allowed unless specifically indicated by a green arrow.
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
Left Turn: General
czech republic:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
Left Turn: At Intersections
czech republic:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
india:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
czech republic:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs.
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
czech republic:
Yes, marked with arrows.
india:
Yes, marked with arrows
Overtaking While Turning
czech republic:
Prohibited.
india:
Prohibited
Documentation
| Czech republic | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required. | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted without International Driving Permit. | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended or required. | International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory. | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection mandatory. | Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield. | PUC sticker displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
czech republic:
Valid driver's license required.
india:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
czech republic:
Accepted without International Driving Permit.
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
czech republic:
International Driving Permit recommended or required.
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
czech republic:
Liability insurance mandatory.
india:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
czech republic:
Annual inspection mandatory.
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
czech republic:
Displayed on the windshield.
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
czech republic:
Mandatory.
india:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
czech republic:
Mandatory.
india:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Czech republic | India | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries. | Frequent use compared to other countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
czech republic:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
india:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
czech republic:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
india:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
czech republic:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
india:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
czech republic:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
india:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
czech republic:
Only in emergency situations.
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
czech republic:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
Pedestrians Priority
czech republic:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
czech republic:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
czech republic:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
india:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Czech republic | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 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, often at checkpoints. | Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial. | Varies by state; fines can be substantial |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: General Drivers
czech republic:
0.00%
india:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
czech republic:
0.00%; zero tolerance
india:
0.00%
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
czech republic:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
india:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
czech republic:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
india:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
czech republic:
Common, often at checkpoints.
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
Enforcement: Fines
czech republic:
Can be substantial.
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
Enforcement: Imprisonment
czech republic:
Possible for severe offenses.
india:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
czech republic:
Can result in license suspension.
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Roundabouts
| Czech republic | India | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal left 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
czech republic:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
india:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
czech republic:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
india:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
czech republic:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
czech republic:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
czech republic:
Use for first exit or straight.
india:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
czech republic:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
india:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Czech republic | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 158 | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance. | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
czech republic:
158
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
Contact: Roadside Assistance
czech republic:
1230—UAMK; additional providers can be used depending on insurance.
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
czech republic:
Mandatory.
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
czech republic:
Mandatory.
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Czech republic | India | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity. | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time. | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €50 or more. | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €50 or more. | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €100 or higher, points on license. | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common, cash preferred. | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay. | Varies; typically 15 to 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
czech republic:
Varies; typically €50 to €600 depending on severity.
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
czech republic:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
india:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
czech republic:
€50 or more.
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Phone Use
czech republic:
€50 or more.
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
czech republic:
€100 or higher, points on license.
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
czech republic:
Common, cash preferred.
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
Payment: Deadline
czech republic:
Varies; typically 15-30 days to pay.
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
czech republic:
Same as residents; must be paid.
india:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
czech republic:
Possible if fines are not paid.
india:
Possible if fines are not paid