Time to Hit the Road! Driving in Croatia Made Easy

Time to Hit the Road! Driving in Croatia Made Easy

Driving in another country can seem a little daunting. There are a number of factors that come into play, such as the type of license you need abroad, the different road laws you’ll encounter and in some cases even just remembering which side of the road you need to drive on. Thankfully, we have put together a little guide to help you with driving in Croatia.

So if you’re a US citizen thinking of taking to the open road and venturing around Croatia by car, then you have come to the right place. We’re here to put all of your driving anxieties at ease and ensure you have the right tools at your disposal for an incredible Croatia driving tour.

Driving in Croatia – Is it worth it? 

To drive or not to drive, that is the question. The simple answer is yes, whether this be you personally driving yourself around or on a private tour guided by a local driver, driving in Croatia can make your vacation that much more worthwhile. 

There are plenty of things you can do all across the country, and whilst public transport is quite reliant, having a personal vehicle to transport you and your guests around can make the whole ordeal that much easier. You won’t have to lug your suitcases onto trains or buses or wait for your stop on a coach transporting everyone to their hotels – driving just makes the trip smoother and far more enjoyable. 

Not only can it be a more comfortable ride, but it can also give you a lot more freedom in terms of adventuring around. Croatia is a drivable country with many incredible sights scattered throughout. From the incredible capital city of Zagreb in the north, to the historic wonder of Dubrovnik all the way in the south. Driving from one destination to the next ensures that you capture the entirety of Croatia in a singular trip.

It also gives you the opportunity for day trips from Croatia, allowing you to explore more outside of the Croatia border. From Solvenia to Montegenro, with a car at your disposal, there are plenty of chances to take your vacation further. 

Our team of travel experts can help you put together the ultimate travel itinerary that captures the best of Croatia in one trip. For help planning your driving vacation to Croatia, get in touch today!

How easy is it to get around Croatia?

The infrastructure of the roads in Croatia are well constructed and fairly easy to navigate. Road signs may be in Croatian, but the symbols and shapes used for these are universal throughout driving laws. To be safe, it might be best to familiarize yourself with the Croatian road signs before you embark on your journey. 

Driving in Croatia is safe and very scenic, with very little difference from what it is like driving at home in the US. As long as you keep the universal road laws and speed limits, you shouldn’t encounter too many issues. 

One key thing to remember as an American driving in Croatia is that turning right on a red signal is not permitted here. To turn right you must wait for the traffic signal to turn green before turning.  

What side of the road do they drive on in Croatia?

Much like the US, Croatia is a right-hand driving country, with the steering wheel located on the left side of the vehicle.

The speed limit in Croatia

The speed limit for Croatia is measured in kilometers per hour with the following speed limits in place for specific areas: 

• Inside built-up areas – 50 km/h
• Outside built-up areas – 90 km/h – 110km/h
• Motorways – 130 km/h 

Driving in Croatia with a US license

As an American driving in Croatia, you do not require a special license to drive. In fact, as long as you hold a US driving license printed in the Latin alphabet – you’re all set to go! However, if you do hold a US driving license printed in text aside from the Latin alphabet, you will be required to get an international driving permit to travel by car in Croatia. 

To drive a car in Croatia you must be over the legal age to drive (this is 18 in Croatia). As an American driving in Croatia, you should keep your passport on you at all times – this will be needed as proof of identification if you are pulled over.

Things to remember when driving in Croatia

Everyone can get driving anxiety, especially when they encounter something completely unfamiliar to what they are used to. Thankfully, much like the US, Croatia has very similar road laws and layouts that are simple to follow and understand. 

Here are some things which are key rules to remember when driving in Croatia:

• It is illegal to drive without a seatbelt on at all times.

• It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol. For drivers under 25, the blood alcohol limit (BAC) is 0%. For drivers over the age of 25, the BAC limit is 0.5%.

• It is illegal to drive whilst on a mobile phone (hands-free devices are allowed).

• Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to sit in the front passenger seat and children between the ages of 2 to 5 must be seated in a suitable child seat.

• Headlights must be used when driving at night and dipped headlights are required to be used during the daylight hours (but only between the end of October to the end of March).

• Winter tyres and snow chains in the car are compulsory for all cars traveling on winter road sections from 15 November to 15 April.

For more insight into the driving rules and regulations of Croatia, or what to expect as an American driving in Croatia – contact our team of local travel experts who are on hand to answer any questions or queries you may have. 

Renting a car in Croatia 

Whilst most travelers will be looking to rent a car, it is worth noting that the minimum age one must be to rent a car in Croatia is 21 years old and you must have held your license for at least 2 years before traveling. 

Before renting a car in Croatia, it is important you look into the insurance details provided by the rental company. To drive in Croatia, you must have fire and third party liability insurance at the very least – this will typically be provided by the rental company, but it is important you check what is covered with their insurance before purchasing. 

While some rental companies may cover you for journeys to the countries bordering Croatia, others may not. Please make the rental company aware of your travel plans before selecting a rental car. 

Speaking to our travel experts can help make sure that you get the right car rental for your travels. 

Driving holidays around Croatia

If you’re an American planning a driving holiday around Croatia, our team of travel experts can help you craft the perfect itinerary for your next trip to Croatia. With custom holiday packages on offer, we can curate the ultimate vacation completely tailored to you. 

From helping you find the right rental cars to selecting the best route to ensure you visit all your favorite destinations – we’re here to help! For driving holidays to Croatia you can trust, speak to our team here at Adventures Croatia.