Driving in Slovenia vs. United Kingdom: Key Differences
When comparing road regulations in Slovenia and the United Kingdom, distinct variations emerge that impact travelers. Key aspects include lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol tolerance, influencing overall road safety. Understanding these contrasts is crucial for a secure driving experience abroad, ensuring every journey is both compliant and enjoyable.
Lanes
| Slovenia | 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 | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | 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, taxis, and sometimes bicycles. | 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Driving Side
slovenia:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
slovenia:
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
slovenia:
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
slovenia:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
slovenia:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
slovenia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
slovenia:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
slovenia:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
slovenia:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes bicycles.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
slovenia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
slovenia:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
slovenia:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
slovenia:
No
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
slovenia:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
slovenia:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Slovenia | 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 | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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, fines are often issued directly by police | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
slovenia:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
slovenia:
30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
slovenia:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
slovenia:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
slovenia:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
slovenia:
130 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
slovenia:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
slovenia:
80 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
slovenia:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
slovenia:
No
united kingdom:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
slovenia:
N/A
united kingdom:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
slovenia:
Yes, fines are often issued directly by police
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Slovenia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Slovenia | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Slovenian; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
slovenia:
Not used in Slovenia
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
slovenia:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
slovenia:
Slovenian; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
slovenia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Slovenia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited | 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 where not prohibited by signs | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
slovenia:
Prohibited
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
slovenia:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
slovenia:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
slovenia:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Slovenia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit required | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections 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
slovenia:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit required
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
slovenia:
International Driving Permit recommended, but not mandatory for short visits
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
slovenia:
Yes, periodic inspections required
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
slovenia:
Displayed on windshield
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
slovenia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
slovenia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Slovenia | 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
slovenia:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Slovenia | 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; roadside checks conducted | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe fines; varies based on offense | Substantial fines apply |
Limits: General Drivers
slovenia:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
slovenia:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
slovenia:
0.00%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
slovenia:
Common; roadside checks conducted
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
slovenia:
Severe fines; varies based on offense
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Roundabouts
| Slovenia | 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
slovenia:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
slovenia:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Slovenia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 1987 for AMZS | 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
slovenia:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
slovenia:
113
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
slovenia:
1987 for AMZS
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
slovenia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
slovenia:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Slovenia | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, €120 | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, €120 | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, €250 | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 8 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
slovenia:
Varies; €40 to €1200, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Seat Belts
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
slovenia:
Fines apply, €120
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
slovenia:
Fines apply, €250
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
slovenia:
Yes, often fines are paid directly or within a deadline
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
slovenia:
Varies; typically 8 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay