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Driving in Croatia

Croatia became a tourist magnet, a real touristic blockbuster.

The lovely towns and cities here are made for exploration. 

The capital of Croatia is Zagreb, a small Vienna with its parks, sky-scraping cathedral, and expansive leafy boulevards. 

Elite coastal pearl Dubrovnik has a lively vibe and an attractive Old town. Then there’s Split, in the heart of Dalmatia, whose history stretches back to Roman Emperor Diocletianus in 200 A.D. And then Zadar – a scenic oasis on the sparkling Adriatic coast with a serene seafront.

A green jewel Croatian Zagorje or hilly Istria are a true paradise for all those who like to travel by car and explore the Croatian landscape.

Croatia’s history comes alive in architecture that betrays Roman, Venetian, Slavic, Viennese, Ottoman, and Socialist influences.

The natural attractions of Croatia are stunning, with its Dinaric Mountains, canyons, caverns, waterfalls, and lush lakes.

You just need to hire a car in Croatia and enjoy the epic adventure that rolls out before you!

 What You Need to Know when driving in Croatia 

The Right Side 

If you want to drive in Croatia, you must be 18 or older (if not stated otherwise- so RENT-A- CARS ask for the surcharge if under 25 )and have a valid driving license to legally get behind the wheel (E.U. and EEA licenses are perfectly acceptable).

Drive on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left

 As stated in bold, you drive on the right and overtake on the left in Croatia. Please be aware that police in Croatia can issue on-the-spot fines and might even confiscate your passport until paid. 

So, please don’t push it.

Headlights & Winter tires& safety seatbelts

Turn on dipped headlights day and night from the start of November to the end of March. Moped and motorbike drivers need to use dipped headlights during the day all year round, and cyclists should always have a white light fitted at the front of their bike and a red one at the back.

Everyone in your vehicle has to wear a seatbelt at all times – it’s the law. Kids under 12 aren’t allowed to sit in the front seat, and those aged 2 to 5 have to be secured in a suitable child seat or booster seat.

If you’re driving in Croatia from 15th November to 15th April, it’s mandatory to use winter tires. Your car rental company should have you covered for this, but please ask them to confirm when you book. 

Speed limits, driving rules in Croatia 

Please always obey the speed limit in Croatia. This is 130km/h on motorways, 90km/h-110km/h on main roads outside built-up areas, and 50km/h in built-up areas. Take note of the signage and alter your speed accordingly. Croatian authorities take a zero-tolerance (alcohol level is 0%) approach to drink driving if you’re under 25. For everyone else, the limit is 0.05%. The police carry out random tests using breath tests, blood or urine, and blood samples. 

Motorways & tolls in Croatia

The road system in Croatia is a good standard in general. The motorway network is well-maintained, with excellent motorways from Zagreb.

Croatian motorways use a very accessible toll system; you take a ticket from a machine when you enter the highway and pay at a booth when you exit, using cash or your credit/debit card.

Driving through coastal cities and towns in summer can be hectic because of tourists.

A biking tour by Croatian Attractions around Samobor, Croatia, photo credit Croatian Attraction
A biking tour by Croatian Attractions around Samobor, Croatia, photo credit Croatian Attraction

Country roads in Croatia can be a dream to drive – the fresh air and scenery are superb. 

You should be careful, anyway, of wildlife on the road, like pheasants, foxes, and deer. You might also share the road with bicycles. Remember to treat bikes like cars and give them ample room when you overtake them.

When choosing which car to rent in Croatia, a smaller car can be a good pick. Some roads are not designed for large vehicles.

In Zagreb, be aware of the parking regulations; there are three parking zones; red, yellow, and green. The red is the most expensive, and you can park for only two hours there. 

Rest stops & petrol stations & CHARGING STATIONS FOR Electric cars

The rest stops on the Croatian motorways are usually relatively modern and well-appointed, with a shop selling car accessories, drinks, and snacks, and sometimes a restaurant, bakery, or kids’ play area. 

If you rent an electric car and need to plan your trip in advance.

There are around 850 connectors at 300 publicly-available charging stations in Croatia. You’ll usually find E.V. charging stations at petrol stations, big car parks, hotels, restaurants, and shopping centers.

Just hit the road and Go 2 Croatia!

ABOUT AUTHOR

Andreja Pruša Horvatić

"There are countless beautiful stories proving that what I’ve been doing for the past eight years, with varying levels of enthusiasm is truly meaningful."

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