Driving in Croatia: tolls, speed limits and rules visitors often miss

Croatian roads are good and well signposted, but a few rules surprise visitors from other countries. These are the ones we explain most often at the desk.

Motorways and tolls

Croatia has no vignette. Tolls are paid at toll stations for the distance driven, by card or cash, and electronic free-flow tolling is being introduced on some sections. Zagreb to Split on the A1 motorway takes about four hours.

Speed limits

• 50 km/h in built-up areas
• 90 km/h outside built-up areas
• 110 km/h on expressways
• 130 km/h on motorways

Alcohol and young drivers

The legal limit is 0.5 per mille. For drivers under 24 and professional drivers the limit is 0.0. Fines are high and collected on the spot.

Lights and winter equipment

From the start of November to the end of March daytime running lights are mandatory during the day. In the same period winter equipment is required on some roads; all our cars have winter tyres in winter.

Other things worth knowing

• Holding a phone while driving is prohibited; only hands-free is allowed.
• Children under 150 cm ride in a child seat; you can rent one with the car.
• City parking is paid by SMS or app; zones are colour coded.
• On island ferries in season, book a place for the car in advance.