It is necessary to possess the International Car Insurance Card at the entry to the country. Photocopies of travel documents are also recommended; in case of a loss or theft it makes the arrangement of new documents much simpler.
The road network
The road network of Slovakia is dense and fairly well maintained one. It consists of motorways, expressways, 1st and 2nd class state roads, and local roads. In the total of 18,000 kilometres of public road communications, the 1st class roads represent about 17 percent.
The roads running across Slovakia from the south to the north are a bit more demanding for drivers as they pass through mountain ranges. The road mountain passes of Donovaly (Ružomberok – Banská Bystrica), Veľký Šturec (Martin – Banská Bystrica), and Čertovica (Liptovský Mikuláš – Brezno) are the most frequented ones. When driving up a hill, trucks must enable any motorcades behind them to overtake them (if necessary, also by stopping at the nearest suitable place – emergency stopping lane, parking lot, etc.).
Snow and slippery ice are normal in winter. If a road is covered with ice or snow or is slippery due to ice, the use of winter tires is compulsory (as for trucks, the use of winter tires on a motored axle is sufficient). If needed, it is advisable to use snow chains in the mountains (especially for trucks).
The motorway network
The current motorway network with the total length of 492 km has been continuously expanded. The continuous motorway system running from Bratislava via Žilina to Košice is to be completed in the next few years. Apart from Prague, Bratislava also has direct motorway connection to Vienna and it will soon have direct motorway connection to Budapest.
Trucks with the weight higher than 7,500 kg and tandem vehicles are not permitted to overtake other cars on a motorway.
Electronization of the vignette sales system, i.e. replacement of the motorway stickers in the form of a paper sticker for electronic vignettes, means a change in the form of the time-limited fee for the use of specified sections of motorways and expressways (hereinafter referred to as "specified sections of motorways and expressways") in the Slovak Republic with the effect as of 1 January 2016.
Buy electronic vignette.
Electronic toll for vehicles exceeding 3.5 t has been implemented since 1 January 2010. More information about toll and toll areas, customer places, on-board units and so on can be found at www.emyto.sk (electronic toll).
Electronic toll for vehicles exceeding 3.5 t has been implemented since 1 January 2010. More information about toll and toll areas, customer places, on-board units and so on can be found at www.emyto.sk (electronic toll).
Speed limits
towns/villages: 50 km/h (unless a pertinent road sign permits a higher/lower speed)
outside towns/villages: 90 km/h (unless a pertinent road sign permits a higher/lower speed)
motorways and expressways: max. 130 km/h, min. 80 km/h
motorways and expressways in towns/villages: max. 90 km/h, min. 65 km/h
Essential car equipment
Warning triangle, first-aid kit, wheel wrench, spare tire and reflective vest (the vest must be within the reach of the driver – in the main vehicle cabin since everybody must wear it when getting out of a car in case of an emergency).
For information in more detail on traffic regulations in Slovakia you may contact your motoring organization or Slovenský autoturist klub (Slovak motoring organization).
Fuel
The prices of petrol and motor oil in Slovakia are comparable with the other European countries. The export of fuel in an amount exceeding 10 litres is prohibited. In towns and on the main motor routes some petrol stations are open 24 hours per day.
Parking
Parking in town centres is possible only at selected locations. In big cities parking cards are used. They must be placed visibly in the car and are sold in newspaper stands or tobacco shops. The parking of cars in prohibited areas is subject to a fine, or blocking (towing) of the vehicle. When parking on a sidewalk, there must befree space left on the sidewalk with the width of 1.5 m at minimum.
Car rentals
Car rentals are available in every bigger town in Slovakia. However, for a better comfort it is advisable to order this service through travel agency prior to your journey to Slovakia. The majority of Slovak towns have their public transport (MHD) networks that observe a fixed schedule.
Car repair
There is a network of car repair stations all over Slovakia, with one in every town providing general repairs for certain vehicles, emergency services for virtually every model of vehicle, and tire service. The opening hours during the tourist season are longer. Private workshops also offer some vehicle repairs in smaller communes.
ROAD REGULATIONS – at a glance
(applicable from 1 January 2014)
All traffic signs comply with European standards.
Motor vehicles
1) It is forbidden to drink alcohol prior to and whilst driving (it applies to beer as well) or to use any other addictive substance and to drive a vehicle while you still could be affected by the substance – 0 ‰ of alcohol in blood is permitted!
2) Drivers are required to clean their car and trailer of snow and ice.
3) Daytime and year-long (nonstop) running of lights for motor vehicles are obligatory.
4) It is forbidden to use mobile phones whilst driving and to use anti-radar devices.
5) A person sitting on the seat equipped with a safety belt must use it while the vehicle is moving (this is applicable also for rear seats). The use of safety belts is obligatory also in towns. Persons smaller than 150 cm must be seated in special safety seats.
6) It is forbidden to transport children younger than 12 and animals in front seats.
7) Reflexive clothing other than green is required to be worn by all persons during emergency stepping out of vehicles (vests must be placed in the car within the driver’s reach).
8) Winter tyres are mandatory in case of ice or snow on the road (sufficient only on powered axle for trucks).
9) A person who causes an accident, who damages property (except for a car) of another is required to find the owner of the damaged property (e.g. a fence), fill in an accident report with him/her and sign it. If that fails, the damage shall become a traffic incident and the police will be called.
10) Right of way – a driver shall not endanger or restrict another vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian when overtaking/passing traffic, integrating into a lane, turning, on pedestrian crossings and so on.
towns/villages: 50 km/h (unless a pertinent road sign permits a higher/lower speed)
outside towns/villages: 90 km/h (unless a pertinent road sign permits a higher/lower speed)
motorways and expressways: max. 130 km/h, min. 80 km/h
motorways and expressways in towns/villages: max. 90 km/h, min. 65 km/h
Essential car equipment
Warning triangle, first-aid kit, wheel wrench, spare tire and reflective vest (the vest must be within the reach of the driver – in the main vehicle cabin since everybody must wear it when getting out of a car in case of an emergency).
For information in more detail on traffic regulations in Slovakia you may contact your motoring organization or Slovenský autoturist klub (Slovak motoring organization).
Fuel
The prices of petrol and motor oil in Slovakia are comparable with the other European countries. The export of fuel in an amount exceeding 10 litres is prohibited. In towns and on the main motor routes some petrol stations are open 24 hours per day.
Parking
Parking in town centres is possible only at selected locations. In big cities parking cards are used. They must be placed visibly in the car and are sold in newspaper stands or tobacco shops. The parking of cars in prohibited areas is subject to a fine, or blocking (towing) of the vehicle. When parking on a sidewalk, there must befree space left on the sidewalk with the width of 1.5 m at minimum.
Car rentals
Car rentals are available in every bigger town in Slovakia. However, for a better comfort it is advisable to order this service through travel agency prior to your journey to Slovakia. The majority of Slovak towns have their public transport (MHD) networks that observe a fixed schedule.
Car repair
There is a network of car repair stations all over Slovakia, with one in every town providing general repairs for certain vehicles, emergency services for virtually every model of vehicle, and tire service. The opening hours during the tourist season are longer. Private workshops also offer some vehicle repairs in smaller communes.
ROAD REGULATIONS – at a glance
(applicable from 1 January 2014)
All traffic signs comply with European standards.
Motor vehicles
1) It is forbidden to drink alcohol prior to and whilst driving (it applies to beer as well) or to use any other addictive substance and to drive a vehicle while you still could be affected by the substance – 0 ‰ of alcohol in blood is permitted!
2) Drivers are required to clean their car and trailer of snow and ice.
3) Daytime and year-long (nonstop) running of lights for motor vehicles are obligatory.
4) It is forbidden to use mobile phones whilst driving and to use anti-radar devices.
5) A person sitting on the seat equipped with a safety belt must use it while the vehicle is moving (this is applicable also for rear seats). The use of safety belts is obligatory also in towns. Persons smaller than 150 cm must be seated in special safety seats.
6) It is forbidden to transport children younger than 12 and animals in front seats.
7) Reflexive clothing other than green is required to be worn by all persons during emergency stepping out of vehicles (vests must be placed in the car within the driver’s reach).
8) Winter tyres are mandatory in case of ice or snow on the road (sufficient only on powered axle for trucks).
9) A person who causes an accident, who damages property (except for a car) of another is required to find the owner of the damaged property (e.g. a fence), fill in an accident report with him/her and sign it. If that fails, the damage shall become a traffic incident and the police will be called.
10) Right of way – a driver shall not endanger or restrict another vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian when overtaking/passing traffic, integrating into a lane, turning, on pedestrian crossings and so on.
11) A motor vehicle driver is obliged to keep safe distance from the vehicle going in front of him on the motorway – i.e. distance the vehicle passes in two seconds; if it concerns the motor vehicle of category M3, N2 or N3, then distance the vehicle passes in three seconds.
12) Vehicles can stop and park on a pavement only if the width min. 1.5 m of the pavement remains free.
13) If the right of way on a roundabout is not governed by traffic signs, the driver entering the roundabout has the right of way.
14) Only exiting from a roundabout is to be signalled. A change of driving direction is not signalled upon entering the roundabout;
15) It is prohibited to overtake a vehicle that is already overtaking in a given lane driving at a significantly higher speed, and which has already started to overtake (especially on motorways).
16) In the case of needing to warn other road users of any danger, especially a sudden drop in speed – use car warning lights.
17) Drivers are obliged to secure their vehicles and the things in them against theft.
18) Motor vehicle can be used only on roads (there are exceptions, but these do not apply to motorcycles, scooters, quadricycles and such used for sport and entertainment in nature).
19) Apart from pedestrians (such as cyclists), it is prohibited for road users to use pedestrian crossings.
Motorcyclists and cyclists
20) Both the driver and the passenger of a motorcycle and quadricycle are required to wear goggles and for speeds above 45 km/h, helmets.
21) A driver and the passenger shall not eat, drink or smoke on a motorcycle or tricycle.
22) Cyclists and motorcyclists can park on the pavement or also stop in a zone where standing or stopping is prohibited, as long as a width min. 1.5 m of the pavement must remain free for pedestrians.
Cyclists and pedestrians
23) Pedestrians walking along the side of the road are required to wear visibly placed reflexive elements or a reflexive vest (not green) under reduced visibility both in and outside the municipality.
24) Cyclists cycling along the side of the road are required to wear reflexive elements or a reflexive vest (not green) under reduced visibility.
25) Cyclists are required to protect their head with a properly attached protectivehelmet outside the municipality; cyclists younger than 15 years are also required to wear a helmet in the municipality.
Lorries
26) Lorries driving uphill are required to let a string of vehicles driving behind them (if necessary by also stopping the vehicle at the nearest suitable place – pull-in lane, parking and such).
27) Vehicles (over 7500 kg) and combinations are forbidden from overtaking other vehicles on the motorway.
28) Special motor vehicles are not allowed to use 1st and 2nd class roads with the exception of tractors with a licence plate, which can use 2nd class roads between the hours 09.00-15.00 and 20.00-06.00.
12) Vehicles can stop and park on a pavement only if the width min. 1.5 m of the pavement remains free.
13) If the right of way on a roundabout is not governed by traffic signs, the driver entering the roundabout has the right of way.
14) Only exiting from a roundabout is to be signalled. A change of driving direction is not signalled upon entering the roundabout;
15) It is prohibited to overtake a vehicle that is already overtaking in a given lane driving at a significantly higher speed, and which has already started to overtake (especially on motorways).
16) In the case of needing to warn other road users of any danger, especially a sudden drop in speed – use car warning lights.
17) Drivers are obliged to secure their vehicles and the things in them against theft.
18) Motor vehicle can be used only on roads (there are exceptions, but these do not apply to motorcycles, scooters, quadricycles and such used for sport and entertainment in nature).
19) Apart from pedestrians (such as cyclists), it is prohibited for road users to use pedestrian crossings.
Motorcyclists and cyclists
20) Both the driver and the passenger of a motorcycle and quadricycle are required to wear goggles and for speeds above 45 km/h, helmets.
21) A driver and the passenger shall not eat, drink or smoke on a motorcycle or tricycle.
22) Cyclists and motorcyclists can park on the pavement or also stop in a zone where standing or stopping is prohibited, as long as a width min. 1.5 m of the pavement must remain free for pedestrians.
Cyclists and pedestrians
23) Pedestrians walking along the side of the road are required to wear visibly placed reflexive elements or a reflexive vest (not green) under reduced visibility both in and outside the municipality.
24) Cyclists cycling along the side of the road are required to wear reflexive elements or a reflexive vest (not green) under reduced visibility.
25) Cyclists are required to protect their head with a properly attached protectivehelmet outside the municipality; cyclists younger than 15 years are also required to wear a helmet in the municipality.
Lorries
26) Lorries driving uphill are required to let a string of vehicles driving behind them (if necessary by also stopping the vehicle at the nearest suitable place – pull-in lane, parking and such).
27) Vehicles (over 7500 kg) and combinations are forbidden from overtaking other vehicles on the motorway.
28) Special motor vehicles are not allowed to use 1st and 2nd class roads with the exception of tractors with a licence plate, which can use 2nd class roads between the hours 09.00-15.00 and 20.00-06.00.
