Driving in Croatia

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 6 min read

Croatia rewards drivers generously: the coastal Adriatic Highway past limestone cliffs and islands is one of Europe's most scenic road journeys, the motorway network connecting Zagreb to the coast is modern and straightforward, and the country's national parks and interior can only be explored properly by car. Croatia joined the Schengen Area in January 2023 and adopted the euro, which has simplified some practicalities for travellers arriving from EU countries. Even so, there are rules and toll systems specific to Croatia worth understanding before you set off.

Documents and what to carry

EU/EEA licence holders drive in Croatia on their standard licence. Non-EU drivers — including those from the UK, US, Canada and Australia — should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their national licence. Croatia is a signatory to the 1968 Vienna Convention.

Compulsory items to carry in your vehicle:

• Valid driving licence and vehicle registration document
• Proof of insurance (green card or equivalent)
• Warning triangle
• First-aid kit
• High-visibility vest — must be worn when exiting the car after a breakdown
• Replacement set of bulbs for the car's lights
• Tow rope

The requirement for a replacement bulb set and tow rope is less common in western Europe but is genuinely required by Croatian law. If you are hiring a car, the rental company should provide these — check the kit in the boot at collection.

Speed limits

Standard speed limits in Croatia:

• Motorways (autocesta): 130 km/h
• Express roads (brza cesta): 110 km/h
• Roads outside built-up areas: 90 km/h
• Built-up areas: 50 km/h

Speed cameras operate on major roads and in some urban areas. The police also use mobile radar, and traffic fines can be issued on the spot to foreign drivers. If you cannot pay on the spot, a deposit may be required before you can continue your journey.

Motorway tolls

Croatia charges tolls on its autocesta motorway network, which includes the A1 running the length of the country from Zagreb to Split and on to Ploče (near the Bosnian border), plus spur routes to Rijeka and Zadar. Tolls are charged per section and collected at booths, where you pay on exit. Both cash and card are accepted. Some sections use the ENC system — Croatia's electronic transponder — which can be hired or pre-registered, though it is not essential for visiting drivers.

The Krk Bridge connecting the mainland to the island of Krk carries a toll. The Učka Tunnel on the Istrian Peninsula also has a separate charge. These are in addition to any motorway tolls already paid.

For the non-motorway coastal road (the D8 Jadrantska magistrala), there are no tolls — but it is dramatically slower, particularly in summer, when traffic through coastal villages can crawl.

Our motorway tolls guide explains the broader European toll system and the different payment methods you might encounter.

The Dalmatian coast and island roads

The coastal road south of Split is the soul of Croatian driving, but it comes with practical challenges. The D8 coastal highway through Dalmatia winds through towns and villages with sharp bends, occasional traffic lights and a width that leaves little margin when a coach or lorry is coming the other way. In July and August, this road can be extremely slow — locals allow extra hours for journeys that look short on a map.

The Pelješac Peninsula, reached via a new bridge from Dalmatia (bypassing the short section of Bosnian territory at Neum), is spectacular but requires careful driving on narrow rural roads. The bridge opened in 2022 and has significantly reduced transit time in the far south of Croatia.

Driving to the islands

Croatia's islands — Hvar, Brač, Korčula, Mljet, and dozens more — are accessible by ferry. Car ferries are operated by Jadrolinija, the state ferry company, and by some private operators. In summer, car spaces on popular routes book up well in advance. Foot passengers can usually walk on, but driving onto a busy Dalmatian island ferry in August without a reservation often means waiting for the next sailing — sometimes hours later.

Many visitors choose to leave their car on the mainland and travel to islands as foot passengers; it is cheaper, avoids the booking stress, and you rarely need a car once on a smaller island where taxis, bikes and mopeds are easy to arrange. See our car hire guide for tips on one-way rentals if you want the flexibility of a car on one part of the trip and not another.

Rules of the road

Croatia drives on the right. Key rules:

• Alcohol limit: 0.5 g/l BAC. Drivers under 24 years of age and professional drivers face a limit of 0.0 g/l.
• Daytime headlights: Compulsory at all times — headlights (not just running lights) must be on day and night throughout the year.
• Mobile phones: Handheld use is illegal. Hands-free calling is permitted.
• Seatbelts: Compulsory for all occupants.
• Winter tyres: Compulsory from 15 November to 15 April on all roads when wintry conditions exist, and on certain mountain roads year-round. Snow chains must be carried in the vehicle during this period on high-altitude routes.
• Radar detectors: Illegal in Croatia.

Parking in Croatia

In coastal towns and cities, parking is divided into colour-coded zones: blue zones allow short stays (usually one or two hours, paid); yellow zones are reserved or restricted; white zones may be free with a disc. In Split and Dubrovnik, central parking is very scarce in summer — use out-of-town car parks with shuttle buses to the old town rather than circling for a space.

Dubrovnik in particular has introduced a vehicle cap in summer to limit congestion around the old city walls. Parking outside the walls and walking or taking a bus into the centre is both easier and cheaper than trying to drive in.

Fuel

Petrol and diesel are available throughout Croatia, including on the islands (though prices are higher). Motorway service areas are modern and frequent on the A1. In rural areas and on some smaller islands, filling stations may keep shorter hours or be closed on Sundays — fill up before setting off on longer rural drives.

Local quirks to know

• The famous coastal stretch between Split and Dubrovnik passes briefly through Bosnia-Herzegovina at Neum if you use the old coastal road. Most travellers now use the Pelješac Bridge to bypass this. If you do cross through Neum, you need valid insurance and documents for Bosnia, and this section is outside Schengen — carry your passport.
• National park roads such as those in Plitvice Lakes are managed separately and have specific parking restrictions. Do not try to drive to the lakes without using the designated car parks — local wardens enforce this strictly.
• Road signs in Croatia are in Croatian and use Latin script, which is easy for most visitors to read. Destinations may be spelled very differently from their English names (Dubrovnik remains Dubrovnik, but Zadar, Split and Rijeka are consistent).

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to pay tolls to drive down the Dalmatian coast in Croatia?

If you use the A1 motorway between Zagreb and the coast, yes — tolls are charged per section at booths. The old coastal road (D8) is toll-free but significantly slower. The Krk Bridge and Učka Tunnel also carry tolls.

Is the Pelješac Bridge free to cross?

Yes. The Pelješac Bridge connecting mainland Dalmatia south of the Neretva estuary to the Pelješac Peninsula is toll-free and forms part of the national road network. It allows travellers to bypass the short section of Bosnian territory at Neum.

Do I need winter tyres in Croatia?

Between 15 November and 15 April, winter tyres are compulsory when wintry road conditions exist. On certain mountain roads, this requirement applies year-round. Snow chains must also be carried during the winter season on designated mountain routes.

Can I take a hire car on Croatian island ferries?

Most hire agreements allow travel on Jadrolinija car ferries to Croatian islands. Confirm with the hire company before booking your ferry — you will need the vehicle registration document and hire agreement on board.