Toll roads in the Czech Republic? How to buy a vignette of the Czech Republic? Where to buy a vignette of the Czech Republic? Fines in the Czech Republic? Parking in the Czech Republic? Motorways of the Czech Republic? Toll tunnels of the Czech Republic? Toll bridges of the Czech Republic? Ferries of the Czech Republic? We have collected answers to all these questions for you in this article.
Roads in the Czech Republic
The length of the network of public roads in the Czech Republic is 130,671 km. All of them have a hard surface. The length of highways and highways is 1,370 km.
Toll Motorways in the Czech Republic
A toll (vignette) is provided for the passage of motor vehicles on some highways in the Czech Republic. The size of the fee depends on the category of the vehicle and the duration of use of the highways.
Toll road sections are marked with the signs “Motorway” and “Road for cars< a i=4>“. Free sections of the road are marked with the same signs, but with the inscription “BEZ POPLATKU“.
A driver on a toll road without a valid electronic vignette faces a fine of up to CZK 20,000 (€818).
The cost of a vignette in the Czech Republic
The cost of a vignette for cars weighing up to 3.5 tons (regardless of the weight of the trailer) for 2024 is:
| Vehicles | 10 days | 1 month | 1 year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cars | CZK 310 (€13) | CZK 440 (€18) | CZK 1500 (€61) |
Motorcycles are exempt from road tolls in the Czech Republic.
Cars with a total weight of more than 3.5 tons pay for roads with the help of special electronic devices.
Map of toll roads in the Czech Republic
List of sections of highways and expressways subject to payment from 01.01.2024:
| Point of entry/exit to toll roads in the Czech Republic | The length of the section | |
|---|---|---|
| D0 | Modletice – Prague-Slivenec | 23 km |
| D1 | Průhonice — Swing | 176 km |
| Dove — Кримріш-west | 48 km | |
| Říkovice – Říkovice | 12 km | |
| The last one is Ostrava-Rudná | 72 km | |
| D2 | Brno-Chrlice — border of Slovakia* | 58 km |
| D3 | Mezno – Čekanice | 14 km |
| Měšice — Veselí nad Lužnicí, north | 25 km | |
| Veselí nad Lužnicí-jih – Слидке | 24 km | |
| Pohorka – Krasejovka | 11 km | |
| D4 | Clay place — Groves | 36 km |
| D5 | Prague-Třebonice – Beroun-east | 14 km |
| Beroun-západ – Ejpovice | 45 km | |
| Sulkov is the border of Germany* | 62 km | |
| D6 | Jeneč — Krušovice | 35 km |
| D7 | Kněževes — Knovíz | 15 km |
| Louny-east – Louny-west | 4 km | |
| D8 | Zdiby — Реhlovice | 64 km |
| Knínice is the border of Germany* | 12 km | |
| D10 | Stará Boleslav – Bezdečín | 25 km |
| Kosmonos – Ohrazenice | 25 km | |
| D11 | Jirny – Jaroměř-sever | 105 km |
| D35 | Sedlice – Island | 31 km |
| Mohelnice-jih – Krelov | 26 km | |
| Holice – Lipník nad Bečvou | 20 km | |
| D46 | Vyškov-vychod — Prostejov-south | 21 km |
| Držovice — Hnevotín | 11 km | |
| D48 | Belotin-east – Jeseník nad Odrou | 4 km |
| Palačov – Nový Jičín-centre | 8 km | |
| Rybí – Frýdek-Místek-south (24th km to exit 48) Frýdek-Místek-south – Frýdek-Místek-west (exits 48-52) | 24 км 4 км | |
| Good – Zhukov | 16 km | |
| D52 | Rajhrad – Pohořelice-sever | 13 km |
| D55 | Hulín – Otrokovice-sever | 14 km |
| Otrokovice-East – Napajedla | 3 km | |
| D56 | Ostrava-Hrabová — Frydek-Mistek-západ | 14 km |
Where to buy a twig in the Czech Republic?
From December 1, 2020, new electronic road vignettes went on sale in the Czech Republic!
The easiest way to buy an electronic vignette is via the Internet at the website https://edalnice.cz
- Choose the type of electronic vignette (per year, 30 days or 10 days);
- Enter the license plate and the country in which the car is registered;
- Select the beginning of the validity period of the electronic vignette;
- Select the Eco price – (for cars running on natural gas or biomethane but not LPG);
- Pay with a payment card (you will receive a confirmation by e-mail).
In addition, the electronic vignette can be purchased at Česká pošta outlets, EuroOil gas stations or self-service kiosks.
If you buy an electronic vignette at a point of sale and then find that you entered some data incorrectly, don’t panic! You can change incorrect data at the point of sale within 15 minutes.
What should I do if I immediately enter a toll road section in the Czech Republic?
If you look at the map of toll areas, you can see that some highways are tolled immediately after crossing the border of the Czech Republic. These are highways D2 (entrance from Slovakia), D5 (in “departure from Germany ) and D8 (entry from Germany).
In fact, you can easily drive to the nearest recreation area and purchase a vignette there. Despite the fact that they are marked as paid areas on the map, they become so only after these rest areas.
- D2 is Lanžhot recreation ground 5 km from the border of Slovakia;
- D5 – Rozvadov recreation ground 1 km from the German border;
- D8 is the recreation area of Varvažov 14 km from the German border.
Toll road section D48 (entrance from Poland) starts about 5 km from the border . As a guide, you can use the European route E75, which goes to the side before the beginning of the toll section.
How will the presence of a valid vignette be checked in the Czech Republic?
The Czech police and customs authorities will check toll road sections with the help of cameras installed in patrol cars (stationary or mobile) and at control gates.
The cameras will scan the license plates of passing cars and immediately send them to be checked against a database for the validity of the electronic vignette.
Validity of the vignette in the Czech Republic
Attention!!!
Paper vignettes will no longer be sold!
An electronic vignette can be purchased three months before its validity.
10-day vignette – gives the right to travel on motorways for ten consecutive calendar days starting from the specified date. If you buy it in advance, the electronic vignette will become valid on the selected day at midnight.
1-month vignette – entitles you to drive on the motorways until the end of the day with the same number next month. And if there is no such day next month, then until the last day of the month.
1-year vignette – gives the right to travel on motorways for 12 months, starting from each day of the year. That is, if the vignette was purchased on July 1, it will be valid until June 30 of the following year, instead of January 31, as it was before.
Parking in the Czech Republic
Parking machines (parkovací automaty) are used in most Czech cities. Payment is made in cash. Permissible parking time is from 30 minutes to 6 hours. Estimated cost depends on location and ranges from CZK 40 to 80 (€ 1.6-3.3) per hour.
Unless otherwise stated, parking is free from 6pm to 8am on weekdays, weekends and public holidays.
It is not recommended to leave valuable things in the car that could attract attention.
Road map of the Czech Republic
The main traffic laws of the Czech Republic
Speed limits in the Czech Republic
Standard speed limits in the Czech Republic (unless otherwise indicated on signs).Cars and motorcycles:
- in the settlement – 50 km/h
- outside the settlement – 90 km/h
- on the road – 110 km/h
- on the highway – 130 km/h
Cars with a trailer:
- in the settlement – 50 km/h
- outside the settlement – 80 km/h
- on the road – 80 km/h
- on the highway – 80 km/h
The speed limit is 80 km/h on a road or highway that runs inside the settlement.
Vehicles whose maximum design speed does not exceed 80 km/h are prohibited from driving on the highway.
The speed should not exceed 30 km/h on the last 50 m of the way to the crossing of railway tracks.
For cars equipped with anti-skid chains, the maximum permitted speed is 50 km/h.
Alcohol
Maximum permissible blood alcohol level in the Czech Republic 0.0‰.
If the blood alcohol level exceeds the legal limit, the fine will be from 2,500 to 20,000 CZK (€ 102-818) and disqualification from driving for 6 months to 1 year.
Refusal to pass a medical examination for intoxication entails a fine of 2,500 to 50,000 CZK (€ 102-2,045) and deprivation of the right to drive a vehicle for 1 to 2 years.
Low light
Dipped beam in the Czech Republic is mandatory 24 hours a day all year round. Fog lights can only be used in the presence of fog or poor visibility.
The fine is up to CZK 2,000 (€82).
Transportation of children in the Czech Republic
Children under 12 years of age and less than 150 cm tall are not allowed to ride in the front seats. They can only travel in the back seats of the car in special child restraint systems.
The fine is up to CZK 2,000 (€82).
Safety belts
Using seat belts in the Czech Republic is mandatory for front and rear passengers.
The fine is up to CZK 2,000 (€82).
Phone conversation in the Czech Republic
It is forbidden to use a telephone device that is not equipped with a technical device that allows for hands-free conversations while the vehicle is in motion.
The fine is up to CZK 1,000 (€41).
Toning in the Czech Republic
The degree of light transmission of the windshield should be at least 75%, and the front side windows at least 70%.
The degree of light transmission is not regulated for the rear glass.
Non-compliance with the rules of light transmission falls under the article on the operation of a vehicle that endangers the safety of road traffic.
With this violation, the operation of the vehicle is prohibited until the cause is eliminated.
Fines in the Czech Republic
A fine of up to CZK 5,000 (€204) can be paid on the spot directly to the police officer who issued the ticket. In the event that the violation carries a higher fine, the driver’s license may be revoked as a guarantee of appearing in court.Fines for speeding in the Czech Republic (CZK):
| Speeding | ||
|---|---|---|
| up to 19 km/year | 1,000 (€ 41) | 1,000 (€ 41) |
| from 20 to 29 km/h | 2,500 (€ 102) | 1,000 (€ 41) |
| from 30 to 39 km/h | 2,500 (€ 102) | 2,500 (€ 102) |
| from 40 to 49 km/h | 5,000 – 10,000 (€ 204-409) | 2,500 (€ 102) |
| from 50 km/h and above | 5,000 – 10,000 (€ 204-409) | 5,000 – 10,000 (€ 204-409) |
In the Czech Republic, the following error is used when measuring speed using radar:
- at a speed of up to 100 km/h – 3 km/h
- at a speed over 100 km/h – 3%
This means that with a permitted speed of 50 km/h, the speed limit will be recorded when the radar shows a speed of at least 54 km/h. And with a permitted speed of 130 km/h — at least 135 km/h.
Table of fines for traffic violations in the Czech Republic (CZK):
| Violations in the Czech Republic | Penalties (on the spot) | Fines (through court) |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle management with illegible, non-standard or improperly set license plates | — | 5,000-10,000 (€204-409) |
| Vehicle management in the presence of malfunctions that pose a threat to other road users | — | 5,000-10,000 (€204-409) |
| Turning to the left or turning in violation of the requirements stipulated by road signs or markings of the carriageway of the road | — | 5,000-10,000 (€204-409) |
| Violation of the rules for stopping or parking a vehicle in places designated for stopping or parking a vehicle for the disabled | 1,000 (€41) | 5,000 – 10,000 (€ 204-409) |
| Violation of the rules of passage through a railway crossing | up to 2,500 (€ 102) | 2,500 – 5,000 (€ 102-204) |
| ObginTS where it is prohibited by road signs | — | 5,000 – 10,000 (€ 204-409) |
| Failure to comply with the requirement of traffic rules to give way to a vehicle that has the right of way in traffic | 2,500 (€ 102) | 2,500 – 5,000 (€ 102-204) |
| Passing on a prohibitory signal of a traffic light or on a prohibitory gesture of the regulator | 2,500 (€ 102) | 2,500 – 5,000 (€ 102-204) |
| Failure to comply with the requirement of traffic rules to give way to pedestrians who enjoy the right-of-way | 2,500 (€ 102) | 2,500 – 5,000 (€ 102-204) |
Useful Information
Fuel prices in the Czech Republic
Unleaded (“natural”) gasoline (91, 95 and 98) and diesel fuel are available in the Czech Republic. “nafta”). There is no leaded gasoline. There are gas stations (“autoplyn”).
The number of gas stations that carry 91 octane gasoline is limited and prices may be higher than 95 octane gasoline.
Average prices for all types of fuel as of 18.12.2023:
- Natural 95 – CZK 35.92 (€ 1,469)
- Natural 98 – CZK 37.02 (€ 1,514)
- Kerosene — CZK 36.04 (€ 1,474)
- Autoplyn — CZK 15.13 (€ 0.619)
Emergency numbers in the Czech Republic
- The European emergency number is 112
- Police – 158
- Fire service – 150
- Ambulance – 155
Mandatory equipment
Equipment that necessary to have in a car in the Czech Republic:
- First aid kit
- Emergency Stop Sign – Optional for motorcycles. If there is a trailer, 2 characters are required.
- Reflective Vest – A reflective vest is mandatory for anyone exiting their vehicle, day or night, in the event of a traffic stop or highway accident. The vest must be inside the car, not in the trunk.
- Spare wheel – including jack and socket wrench. The absence of a spare wheel is allowed in the presence of run-flat tires or a set for gluing a wheel with a compressor;
- Set of spare lamps – one of each type;
- Spare fuses – one for each type used.
A fine of up to CZK 2,000 (€82) (or CZK 1,000 (€41) if paid on site) for not having any of the mandatory equipment.
Winter equipment in the Czech Republic
Winter tires
From November 1 to March 31, under appropriate weather conditions (the presence of a solid layer of snow or ice on the road), vehicles with a total weight of up to 3.5 tons must be equipped with winter tires.
Winter tires must be marked with the signs “M+S”, “M.S.” or “M & S” and have a minimum tread depth of 4 mm. All wheels must be equipped with winter tires. Roads where winter tires are mandatory are marked with a sign.
It is recommended to use winter tires when the temperature drops below 4°C. In the absence of winter tires – a fine from CZK 1,500 to 2,500 (€ 61-102).
Studded tires
The use of studded tires in the Czech Republic is prohibited.
Anti-slip chains
Anti-skid chains can be used in the Czech Republic if there is a corresponding road sign. The maximum speed is 50 km/h.
Recommended equipment and other rules
The function of the navigation software indicating the location of fixed speed cameras must be disabled.
Currently, the use of radar detectors in the Czech Republic is not limited by any law, decree or regulation.
Excerpt from the Traffic Regulations of the Czech Republic (§3 p.4):
No one shall use technical means and enterprises that do not allow or affect the function of the technical means used in the course of safety on communication utilities.
It states that it is not possible to use any devices that prevent or affect the functioning of technical means used in road safety monitoring.
The use of anti-radar in the Czech Republic is prohibited. A fine of up to CZK 1,000 (€41) when paid on the spot. In court proceedings, the amount of the fine will range from €5,000 to €10,000.