Driving in Czechia, the short version.
The rules most visitors don’t know before landing in Prague, with the one that matters most for your family first.
Children up to 150 cm tall and up to 36 kg must ride in a suitable child seat.
Everyone in the car wears a seat belt, on every seat. A rear-facing seat must never sit in front of an active airbag, so put it in the back or switch the passenger airbag off. Taxis and ride-hailing cars often have no child seat at all.
Eight rules worth knowing before you drive.
- Speed limits
50 km/h in towns, 90 outside towns, 130 on motorways. 20 km/h in residential zones.
- Lights on, always
Low beams or daytime running lights must be on whenever you drive, day and night, all year.
- Zero alcohol
There is zero tolerance for alcohol at the wheel. Not even one beer.
- Hands-free only
Holding a phone while driving is an offence. Hands-free kits are allowed.
- Motorway vignette
Motorways need an electronic vignette from edalnice.cz. Czech rental cars usually have one, so ask at the desk.
- Winter tyres
From 1 November to 31 March, winter tyres are required when there is snow or ice on the road.
- Trams and crossings
Pedestrians have priority at crossings, and trams have priority over almost everyone. Watch for them in Prague.
- In an emergency
112 for any emergency, 158 police, 155 ambulance. Wear a reflective vest if you leave the car outside a town.
Based on the Czech Police guide Basic rules of road traffic in the Czech Republic and edalnice.cz. A summary, not legal advice. Road signs always win.