Rules of the Road · Verified August 2026

Driving Laws in Croatia

Everything a visitor needs before driving in Croatia — which side to drive on, the alcohol limit, national speed limits and licence requirements.

right

Driving Side

steering wheel on the left

0.05

BAC Limit (g/dL)

general drivers

130

Motorway Limit

km/h

recommended

Intl. Driving Permit

for foreign visitors

Speed Limits

National Default Speed Limits

Urban / Built-up

50 km/h

Rural / Open Road

90 km/h

Motorway / Highway

130 km/h

Note: Novice limit applies under age 24.

Defaults only — posted signs always override national defaults. Laws verified August 2026; rules change, so confirm with an official source before you travel.

Alcohol & Driving

Drink-Driving Rules in Croatia

General limit: 0.05 g/dL · Novice/young drivers: Zero tolerance

Reaction time, judgement and night vision all degrade well below any legal threshold — the only limit that guarantees safety is 0.00. Alcohol is a factor in a large share of the world's fatal crashes, and enforcement in Croatia can include checkpoints, licence loss and jail.

Live Tracking

Croatia on the Live Map

Croatia has a WHO-estimated 7.7 road deaths per 100,000 people. See live accident reports and full statistics for Croatia.

Before You Go

Emergency Number

Save Croatia's emergency number before you drive — find it in our worldwide emergency numbers directory. And check your rental's tires with the tire age checker.

Nearby

Driving Laws in Neighbouring Countries

Slovenia Bosnia and Herzegovina San Marino Austria Hungary Italy

Questions

FAQ

Which side of the road does Croatia drive on?

Croatia drives on the right-hand side of the road (like most of the world).

What is the drink-driving limit in Croatia?

The general limit is 0.05 g/dL BAC (novice/young drivers: zero). Remember: impairment starts well below the legal limit.

Do I need an International Driving Permit in Croatia?

An IDP is recommended rather than strictly required for most visitors to Croatia — but rental companies and police may still ask for one, and it is cheap insurance.

Is it safe to drive in Croatia?

By the numbers, Croatia has a WHO-estimated road death rate of 7.7 per 100,000 people (global average about 15), which is safer than the global average — it ranks 147 of 195 countries from most to least deadly. Traffic drives on the right. Most road deaths anywhere happen at night, at higher speeds and on rural roads, so plan long drives in daylight and follow the posted limits.