Driving in Czech Republic

Road Traffic in the Czech Republic, Basic Rules and Responsibilities. Valid from July 1st, 2006. We wish you a pleasant and safe stay in the Czech Republic.

Source - Autoklub Czech Republic

The main changes in the Highway Code are as follows:
*Introduction of a penalty point system.
*Mandatory day time running lights during whole year.
*Stricter penalties for traffic offences (up to 2000 EURO).
*Mandatory cycle helmets for cyclists up to 18 years.
*Mandatory child restraint devices for children up to 36 kg and up to 150 cm on all types of roads.
*Possibility of the Czech Police Force to confiscation the driving licence on the spot in case of serious traffic offence.
*The Czech Police Force has in case of serious offences the right to clamp the wheel to prevent continuing driving.
*When leaving a roundabout a driver should use a signalisation to show a change of direction.

Road Traffic in the Czech Republic, Basic Rules and Responsibilities. Valid from July 1st, 2006.
* Traffic on the right, drive on the right, pass on the left.
* Speed limits for personal automobiles: 50 km/h in towns, 90 km/h outside of towns, 130 km/h on motorways and on highways for motor vehicles, 80 km/h on motorways and on highways for motor vehicles if they pass through a town.
* A zero blood-alcohol limit for drivers - it applies to drivers of motorised and non-motorised vehicles, thus also cyclists and also riders on animals, etc.
* Drivers are obliged to undergo a preliminary breathalyser test on the behest of control authorities and, on the basis of its result, also potentially the collection of blood for determining the presence of alcohol in the blood.
* The presence of drugs (addictive substances) in the driver's body is determined in a similar manner.
* The Czech Police, Municipal Police and Czech Customs Administration have the authority to control drivers, documents, cargo, etc., to manage and direct traffic and give out fines for committed offences.
* The driver of a motor vehicle and passengers, including people in the back seats, must have their seat belts fastened when driving.
* A child weighing less than 36 kg or whose height does not exceed 150 cm can only be carried in a child's retaining system (car seat, etc.).
* Drivers of motorcycles and their passengers must be equipped with a securely-fastened protective helmet when riding, motorcycle drivers are obliged to use glasses, shields, etc to protect their sight.
* Cyclists up to 18 years of age must use a protective helmet.
* Drive to the right beside tram island platforms, also drive to the right alongside trams.
* Trams turning to the right have the right of way in front of vehicles travelling on their right side.
* Purchasing a highway coupon and affixing one of its sections to the front windshield is a condition for travelling on motorways and highways for motor vehicles (with the exception of motorcycles), The driver must submit the second section with the vehicle's licence plate indicated on it when called upon by a control authority to do so.

* Documents: The motor vehicle driver is obliged to show a driver's license, vehicle registration certificate, a document proving statutory motor third-party insurance and a document on the driver's roadworthiness (this obligation is valid for Czech drivers more than 60 years old) to the control authorities. Control authorities can also request proof of identity (a citizen's id card, passport).
* Motor vehicles must use their lights night and day all year long, must use the fender lamps and low beams (or lights for day use) even during decreased visibility, in all traffic.
* In fog, snow or heavy rain the driver may use the front fog lights and must use the rear (red) fog lights in these conditions.
* The use of tyres with spikes is prohibited, snow chains may only be used in the event that there is sufficient snow on the road surface.
* Telephoning is prohibited - the driver cannot hold a telephone or other calling or recording device in his hands or in another manner when driving, phoning with the use of hands-free sets is permitted.
* The driver must indicate a change of lanes when overtaking a bicycle, even if he does not change lanes when overtaking it.
* At pedestrian crossings, the driver of a vehicle (with the exception of trams) must allow pedestrians to cross the road undisturbed and safely - pedestrians have the right of way at crossings.
* The speed of the vehicle cannot exceed 30 km/h at a distance of 50 m in front of railway crossings and on them. If a white light is blinking at the crossing, the speed cannot exceed 50 km/h.
* The drivers of other vehicles must allow vehicles with the right of way (blue flashing lights, siren) safe and continuous passage; they are even obliged to stop if it is necessary.
* When traffic columns occur on motorways or on highways for motor vehicles, the drivers must create a free traffic lane in the middle of the road for the passage of vehicles with right of way (police, medical services, firemen, etc.).
* Stand (park) on the right side, it is allowed to park on the left on one-way roads if it is not prohibited by a traffic sign.
* Stopping and parking is prohibited in places where the vehicle could obstruct traffic or threaten its safety, particularly in a blind corner or in front of blind apex of an upgrade, on it and behind it, on a pedestrian crossing and 5 m in front of it, on an intersection and 5 m in front of and behind its boundaries, on a bridge, in a tunnel, etc.

* An uninterrupted yellow line on the edge of the road means stopping and parking is prohibited.
* An interrupted yellow line on the edge of the road means parking is prohibited; stopping is permitted.
* Participants of accidents with the injury or death of people and accidents during which damage to the vehicle exceeds 50 thousand CZK or during which public property or third-party property is damaged must report to the police immediately. The same applies to accidents with damage to the vehicle up to 50 thousand CZK is the participants of the accident cannot agree on who caused the accident.
* The use of radar detectors is prohibited.

Recommended Procedure for the Participants of a Traffic Accident

¤ Stop the vehicle I a safe place without delay, turn of the ignition and turn on the warning lights.
¤ Put on a warning vest and position the warning triangles at the proper distance (100m behind the vehicle for motorways and highways for motor vehicles, 50 m behind the vehicle on roads).
¤ Do not drink alcoholic beverages, do not smoke and do not allow anyone else to.
¤ Turn off the ignition of the crashed vehicles.
¤ Determine whether any of the accident participants were injured.
¤ Determine whether there is a threat of any immediate danger, e.g. if petrol is leaking somewhere, etc.; in such a case ask others present to move to a safe distance, move any injured to safety.
¤ Announce an accident with the injury or death of a person or with damages to the vehicle over 50 thousand CZK to the police (the police will arrange for any arrival of medics and firemen to the scene of the accident); indicate
your name and surname, the location where the accident took place (as close as possible), whether anyone was injured in the accident, or if people cannot get out of any of the vehicles, whether there is a threat of a fire or ecological damage (e.g. ig fuel is leaking from the vehicles), if the vehicles block other traffic, and to what extent.
¤ If an injury occurred, provide first aid to the extent possible.
¤ Especially treat people with massive bleeding and who have lost consciousness.
¤ Leave the vehicles in the condition in which they were found after the accident until the police arrive (unless it is necessary to change their positions in order to free or treat injured people).
¤ Provide proof of identity along with the other participants of the traffic accident.
¤ Also ask uninvolved witnesses of the accident to provide their names and telephone numbers (in case of further investigations).
¤ Remain at the scene of the accident until the police arrive and thoroughly investigate the traffic accident.
¤ Make a note of the accident's exact timing, when it occurred, when the police arrived at the site, the police car's licence plate number and the name of the investigating officer.
¤ When the vehicle is damaged, tentatively fill in the form from the insurance company, if health and circumstances allow.