Driving in Poland vs. Serbia: Safety Tips & Differences
As you prepare for your journey through Eastern Europe, understanding the driving regulations in Poland and Serbia is crucial for a safe experience. Notable distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol tolerance. While Poland enforces a lower urban speed limit, Serbia offers a slightly more lenient approach to blood alcohol content. Stay informed to navigate these roads confidently!
Lanes
| Poland | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings, such as during road works. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' on the road. | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | N/A |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
poland:
Used for temporary markings, such as during road works.
serbia:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
poland:
Temporary markings; passing permitted when safe.
serbia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
poland:
Allowed when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on one-way roads.
serbia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
poland:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and bicycles where specified.
serbia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
poland:
Labeled 'BUS' on the road.
serbia:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
poland:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
serbia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
poland:
N/A
serbia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Poland | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 140 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation. | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
poland:
20 km/h
serbia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
poland:
90 km/h
serbia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
poland:
140 km/h
serbia:
120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
poland:
Electronic signs display current limits.
serbia:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
poland:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation.
serbia:
Yes
Signals
| Poland | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Signals a change to green is imminent. | Not used in Serbia |
| Use Of Indicators: Mandatory | Yes, for all turns and lane changes. | Yes, for all turns and lane changes |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when 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 discouraged; local ordinances may apply. | Unnecessary 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. | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Polish; symbols are standard. | Serbian; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Priority | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed. | Yield and stop signs must be obeyed |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border. | Triangle-shaped with red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
poland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
serbia:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
poland:
Signals a change to green is imminent.
serbia:
Not used in Serbia
Use Of Indicators: Mandatory
poland:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes.
serbia:
Yes, for all turns and lane changes
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
poland:
Signal when exiting.
serbia:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Allowed
poland:
Only in cases to avoid accidents.
serbia:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
poland:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply.
serbia:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Horn Usage: Penalties
poland:
Fines may apply for misuse.
serbia:
Fines may apply for misuse
Headlight Flash: Usage
poland:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking.
serbia:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
Headlight Flash: Prohibited Usage
poland:
Not to be used to signal other messages.
serbia:
Not to be used to signal other messages
Hand Signals: Permitted
poland:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning.
serbia:
Yes, if vehicle signals are malfunctioning
Hand Signals: Common Usage
poland:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected.
serbia:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
poland:
Polish; symbols are standard.
serbia:
Serbian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Priority
poland:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed.
serbia:
Yield and stop signs must be obeyed
Traffic Signs: Warning
poland:
Triangular with red border.
serbia:
Triangle-shaped with red border
Turns
| Poland | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed only if a green arrow is present. | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left. | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs. | Varies by city; check for signs |
| Special Turn Lanes | Yes, marked with arrows. | Yes, marked with arrows |
| Overtaking While Turning | Prohibited. | Prohibited |
Right Turn On Red
poland:
Allowed only if a green arrow is present.
serbia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
Left Turn: General
poland:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs.
serbia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
Left Turn: At Intersections
poland:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left.
serbia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
U- Turns Allowed
poland:
Varies by location; check for signs.
serbia:
Varies by city; check for signs
Special Turn Lanes
poland:
Yes, marked with arrows.
serbia:
Yes, marked with arrows
Overtaking While Turning
poland:
Prohibited.
serbia:
Prohibited
Documentation
| Poland | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Requirement | Valid driver's license required. | Valid driver's license required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with International Driving Permit. | International Driving Permit required |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory. | Liability insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory every year. | Mandatory periodic inspections |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield. | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Requirement
poland:
Valid driver's license required.
serbia:
Valid driver's license required
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
poland:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended.
serbia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit may be required
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
poland:
Accepted with International Driving Permit.
serbia:
International Driving Permit required
Insurance
poland:
Liability insurance mandatory.
serbia:
Liability insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
poland:
Mandatory every year.
serbia:
Mandatory periodic inspections
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
poland:
Displayed on windshield.
serbia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
poland:
Mandatory.
serbia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
poland:
Mandatory.
serbia:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Poland | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries. | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks. | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary. | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
| Emergency Vehicles: Awareness | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights. | Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights |
Flashing Lights: Usage
poland:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake.
serbia:
To warn of hazards or signal intention to overtake
Flashing Lights: Misuse
poland:
Discouraged, fines may apply.
serbia:
Discouraged, fines may apply
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
poland:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic.
serbia:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
Lane Courtesy: Blocking
poland:
Discouraged and may be penalized.
serbia:
Discouraged and may be penalized
Use Of Horn: Limited
poland:
Only in emergency situations.
serbia:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
poland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries.
serbia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Pedestrians Priority
poland:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks.
serbia:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
poland:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary.
serbia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Emergency Vehicles: Awareness
poland:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights.
serbia:
Listen for sirens and watch for flashing lights
Alcohol
| Poland | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| 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; checkpoints used frequently. | Common; police regularly perform checks |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial. | Substantial, varies by severity |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for severe offenses. | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension. | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
poland:
0.02%
serbia:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
poland:
0.00%
serbia:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Zero Tolerance: Drugs
poland:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs.
serbia:
Zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs
Zero Tolerance: Medications
poland:
Check if medication affects driving ability.
serbia:
Check if medication affects driving ability
Enforcement: Random Checks
poland:
Common; checkpoints used frequently.
serbia:
Common; police regularly perform checks
Enforcement: Fines
poland:
Varies; can be substantial.
serbia:
Substantial, varies by severity
Enforcement: Imprisonment
poland:
Possible for severe offenses.
serbia:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
poland:
Can result in license suspension.
serbia:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Poland | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal right when preparing to exit. | Signal right 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
poland:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
serbia:
Yield to traffic already in the roundabout
Priority: Inside
poland:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly.
serbia:
Maintain lane discipline, do not change lanes abruptly
Signaling: Entering
poland:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry.
serbia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
poland:
Signal right when preparing to exit.
serbia:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Right
poland:
Use for first exit or straight.
serbia:
Use for first exit or straight
Lane Usage: Left
poland:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe.
serbia:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Poland | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 997 | 192 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 981 or through your insurance provider. | 1987 |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
poland:
997
serbia:
192
Contact: Roadside Assistance
poland:
981 or through your insurance provider.
serbia:
1987
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
poland:
Mandatory.
serbia:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
poland:
Mandatory.
serbia:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Poland | Serbia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles. | 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 | Mandatory, fines apply. | €20 to €40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply for use without hands-free device. | €30 to €50 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and license points apply. | €30 to €50, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Rare; usually paid online or by mail. | Yes, possible for smaller fines |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay. | Varies; typically 8 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
poland:
Varies; can be substantial, often increased for foreign vehicles.
serbia:
Varies; typically €20 to €100, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
poland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time.
serbia:
Varies; heavy fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
poland:
Mandatory, fines apply.
serbia:
€20 to €40
Common Fines: Phone Use
poland:
Fines apply for use without hands-free device.
serbia:
€30 to €50
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
poland:
Fines and license points apply.
serbia:
€30 to €50, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
poland:
Rare; usually paid online or by mail.
serbia:
Yes, possible for smaller fines
Payment: Deadline
poland:
Varies; typically 7-14 days to pay.
serbia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay
Foreign Drivers: Fines
poland:
Same as residents; must be paid.
serbia:
Same as residents; must be paid
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
poland:
Possible if fines are not paid.
serbia:
Possible if fines are not paid