Guide to Driving In Croatia - Drive Safe in Croatia

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Croatia and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

50 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

80 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

110-130 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 0.05%

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in Croatia on the Right side  
urban
The currency in Croatia is HRK
urban
To rent a car is  21 years and to drive is 18 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in Croatia 1.44 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Croatia

Driving in Croatia
Pocket guide to driving in Croatia
Profile:
Croatia
Zagreb
HRK
Driving in Croatia
SPEED: (kph)
50
80
110-130
Speed limit in Croatia
Holiday:
Rush hour in Croatia
Cameras:
YES
YES
Speed cameras in Croatia
FUEL:
1.44
1.55
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Croatia
See Fuel Price in Croatia for full statistics
MIN AGE:
18
21
Min driving age in Croatia
DRINK:
0.05%
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Croatia
EMERGENCY:
112
Emergency phone number in Croatia
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Croatia
PHONES:
No
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Croatia
SEATBELTS:
Yes
Yes
Seat belt in Croatia
See here for current child seats law in Croatia

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Croatia?

Cars drive on the right with overtaking on the left. The state of the roads is good with many new roads being added. They include the new Zagreb-Split motorway with connections to Zadar and Sibenik, and the motorway between Istria and Italy. Also consider that you may want to take the time to use scenic routes such as the Jadranska Magistrala Adriatic coastal road. Although these routes are very pretty if you are driving through elevated areas you should be aware that falling rocks can be a hazard. For more information about motorways in Croatia visit http://wapedia.mobi/en/Highways_in_Croatia.

Croatia roads

Avoid rush hours in the cities of Zagreb and Split, as between 7– 8am and 3– 4pm traffic can get quite congested. Do not drive on tram lines and only use your horn in cases of immediate and extreme danger.  Car hire in Croatia might be a little bit more expensive than the rest of Europe due to higher insurance costs but on the whole it is well served with collection points at all the major cities and airports. If you want to go to Croatia from a neighbouring country then check with our staff whether it is possible to do so.
  • Avoid driving off-road in the countryside where possible as there can be a threat of landmines left over from the war with Serbia.
  • Do not stop to help people at the side of the road as incidences of crime in these situations have been reported.

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 112

Police Fire: 112

Police Ambulance: 112

Notes:

DieselUnleaded
Feb , 2024

€ 1.55

€ 1.44

Jan , 2024

€ 1.55

€ 1.44

Dec , 2023

€ 1.62

€ 1.50

Nov , 2023

€ 1.67

€ 1.52

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking regulations
 
Most safe parking in Croatia is paid parking. There are not many covered parking lots in the country but the open ones are generally safe. 
 
Paid parking
 
Parking is quite simple in Croatia. You can park where there are white lines and a big 'P' sign on the kerb. You'll have to pay for parking and can receive SMS messages when your parking is about to expire. Yellow dots mean parking for disabled only. Parking elsewhere will possibly get your car towed away, even if there are no signs saying not to park.
 
Enforcement
 
Enforcement of parking is often done by the police or 'The Spider', a tow truck that just lifts your car off the street and onto the tow truck. There are no parking tickets in Croatia, just the tow. 
 
Disabled parking
 
Croatia follows EU guidelines on parking for holders of an EU Disabled Parking Permit. Disabled parking spots are marked with a yellow dot. Check the regulations before leaving your car there as there can be local variations.

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 112

Police Fire: 112

Police Ambulance: 112

The emergency services are on 112. Emergency road help with advice in English is on 987. Traffic information in English is available at 98.5FM during the tourist season. Otherwise road traffic info is provided 24 hours a day by Hrvatski Auto-Klub on 041 415 800.

The British embassy is in Ivana Lučića 4, 10000 Zagreb and can be contacted on 385-1-600-9100. Their website is https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-zagreb

The US embassy is at Ul. Thomasa Jeffersona 2, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia and they can be contacted on 385-1-661-2200. Their website is https://hr.usembassy.gov/hr/

What to do in an emergency

In an emergency, you must display a warning triangle 100m from the vehicle and have your hazard warning lights on. You need to be wearing your reflective jacket outside the car. You need call the emergency services on 1987 only if there is serious damage or an injury then you should  wait with the vehicle until they arrive.  It's not unknown for locals to engineer an accident then make out it's your fault and demand money. In such circumstances, phone the police. 

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

Osiguranje – Insurance

Ulaz Zabranjen – No Entry

Bezolovni benzin - Unleaded super fuel 91/95

Brzacesta – Expressways

Autocesta – Highways

Državna cesta - State roads

županijska cesta - country roads

Cesta namijenjena isključivo za promet motornih vozila - Roads dedicated for motor vehicles
 
I have broken down - Ja sam oborio 
 
Where is the police station? - Gdje je policijska stanica?
 
I have a flat tyre - Imam guma 
 
I have been in an accident - Ja sam bio u nesreći 
 
Where is? - Gdje je?
 
Where can I buy petrol? - Gdje mogu kupiti benzin?
 

Croatia Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Feb , 2024

€ 1.55

€ 1.44

Jan , 2024

€ 1.55

€ 1.44

Dec , 2023

€ 1.62

€ 1.50

Nov , 2023

€ 1.67

€ 1.52

Oct , 2023

€ 1.73

€ 1.64

Sep , 2023

€ 1.68

€ 1.63

Aug , 2023

€ 1.57

€ 1.57

Jul , 2023

€ 1.53

€ 1.53

Jun , 2023

€ 1.45

€ 1.45

May , 2023

€ 1.43

€ 1.42

Apr , 2023

€ 1.51

€ 1.48

Mar , 2023

€ 1.56

€ 1.49

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Feb , 2024 1.55 1.44
Jan , 2024 1.55 1.44
Dec , 2023 1.62 1.50
Nov , 2023 1.67 1.52
Oct , 2023 1.73 1.64
Sep , 2023 1.68 1.63
Aug , 2023 1.57 1.57
Jul , 2023 1.53 1.53
Jun , 2023 1.45 1.45
May , 2023 1.43 1.42
Apr , 2023 1.51 1.48
Mar , 2023 1.56 1.49

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Croatia and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.
Kellie Hodge
Posted by Kellie Hodge
About the Author -

Travel writer, customer service guru, Kellie knows the ins and outs of car rental and always happy to share her knowledge on our blog. Favourite country to visit: Spain.

Visitor Comments

  • 08/07/2021

    Ramiro J Rodriguez

    Hi, I would like to know if a US drivers license is enough to rent a car in Croatia? is an International license required?
  • 02/11/2018

    Maria Belke

    What is the green card that you have listed. Visited in 2008 and don't remember having this
  • 02/11/2018

    Mohammed Rashid

    I want to know, is there any upper age limit drive or not. I am 77 yrs. old. Next, in all the road signs, do they have in English too. Thirdly, how about GPS? Does it direct only in Croatian language or also available in English version as well. Lastly, I will be using American express to rent the car which covers the insurance as well. Do I have to buy any additional insurance as well. Thank you for the help. your site been excellent, very informative.
  • 02/11/2018

    Carolyn Wallace

    Great information. Are you able to pay for toll roads with a credit card?
  • 02/11/2018

    Zvono478

    There is some wrong information here. The warning triangle must be displayed at least a 100 meters or farther from the vehicle, together with all four turn signals turned on. Emergency road help is now at number 1987. Also, children no longer have to be twelve to sit on the front seat; they need to be at least 150 centimeters tall.
  • 02/11/2018

    Matt

    Hi, is there any restriction on how long you have had your driving license for when hiring a car in Croatia with Rhino. I passed on the 3rd of September and wanted to rent on the 27th of September. I will have had my license for nearly a month when attempting to rent and I am 28 years old. Thanks, Matt
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