Guide for driving in Europe - the Czech Republic some of this information supplied from companies we work with - jmlvillas.com, insurance4carhire.com, Holiday Autos, Essential Travel and Economy Car Hire and other acknowledged sources. It is presented on this site without responsibilty of jml Property Services / insurance4carrental.com and should not be relied on for accuracy.

Driving in the Czech Republic

Key rules, regulations and things to know

Driving: Drive on the right and overtake on the left

Speed limits: Residential areas 50km/h: Built-up areas 50km/h: Urban 50 km/h: Rural 90 km/h: Motorway 130 km/h

Trams should be passed on the right - if there is no room on the right to pass them, they can be overtaken on the left. However in the capitalIt's illegal in Prague to pass trams on the left.

Driving Age: The minimum age for drivers is 18. To rent a car, you must be at least 21 years old and age may vary by car category. Someone hiring a car must have held a your licence for one year. Drivers under the age of 25 may incur a young driver surcharge (as in many countries). In some cases, there is a maximum age of 70. Minimum Driving Ages European Countries - Here

Emergency Telephone Numbers: Ambulance 155, fire brigade 150, police 158

Seat Belts: Children must be at least 12 years of age to sit in the front seat. The use of seat belts is compulsory for front and rear seat passengers. A child seat is obligatory for children of less than 36 kg of weight or 1,5 m of height....however

Although a legal requirement, the Police / Policie and taxi drivers do not lead by example as like in many other European countries these people do not wear them!! Editor

Motorways and tolls: There are 878 km of motorways and other main roads in the Czech Republic. If you wish to travel along motorways, you will need to have a "pass" - vignette stuck to the front windscreen. You can buy these at petrol stations and post offices. This is a similar arrangement to several European countries.

Speed Cameras: There are Speed cameras and random checks undertaken by the police using mobile radar gun units. The fixed speed cameras will usually have a warning sign first.

Headlights: Must be used when weather causes poor visibility (heavy rain, snow etc). Motorcyclists must use dipped headlights at all times.

Horns can be used only to warn of danger or to signal that you are about to pass. Horns are prohibited in central Prague between 9pm and 5am from 15th March to 15th October and from 8pm to 6am during the remainder of the year.

Safety Equipment: It is a requirement under Czech law that all private cars, including those belonging to foreign visitors, carry the following items: 1 x Fluorescent Green High Visibility Safety Jacket - this must be carried in the car (not the boot) and comply with EU standard EN471. 1 x First Aid Kit 1 x Spare pair of prescription glasses (if necessary) - kept in the glove compartment 1 x Warning triangle 1 x Complete set of spare bulbs.

Parking: Parking is only allowed on the right side of the road, but this restriction does not apply to one-way roads. Parking along a tram line is prohibited unless a 3.5-metre wide lane is left between the vehicle and the tram lane. You must not park within 5 metres of a road intersection, a pedestrian crossing, or bus stop. You are not allowed to park within 15 metres of a train level crossing. In Prague, you can park at 'automats'. These are marked by a green stripe and have a six-hour maximum. There are also those that are marked with an orange stripe have a two-hour maximum.

Disabled Parking: The Blue Badge is recognised in all European countries - More information Here

Mobile phones: In the Czech Republic as in most European countries, drivers are prohibited to use their mobile phones unless they have hands free equipment. You can be fined for breaking this rule. Unfortunately as in so many countries drivers still drive and phone at the same time using a hand held mobile. Don't risk using one as you can receive a heavy fine in most countries and more important cause a serious accident.

Drink and Driving: The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.00: That means don't drink and drive - More information Here You are not permitted by law to drink and drive in the Czech Republic -Basically this means there must be no alcohol in your blood system whilst driving. The law applies to drivers of motorised and non-motorised vehicles, thus it also applies to cyclists and also riders on animals, etc.

Republic Ustredni Automotoklub CR - (UAMK CR) - To enter the site, click on the image above left

The Czech Penalty Point System - Table of Penalty Points / Road Traffic in the Czech Republic, Basic Rules and Responsibilities

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FACT FILE — THE CZECH REPUBLIC: — Ceská republika

The Czech Republic is still all things to all people. From the pulsing capital Prague to the back-in-time villages of Moravia, from toiling up mountains to lounging in spas, from the world-famous Pilsner to the strains of Smetana and Dvorák, there's an experience to suit every taste.

Prague the capital city in the Heart of Europe -Places to see: · Prague Castle · Strahov Monatery · St Vitus Cathedral · Old Royal Palace · Old Town & Jewish Quarter · Vltava River

General Information Czech Republic

Shop Opening Hours Monday – Friday Food shops 6.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. Other shops 9.00 a.m. – 6.00 p.m. Some shops 10.00 a.m. – 7.00 p.m. Smaller shops have a lunch break

Saturdays Food shops 7.00 a.m. – 12 noon Other shops 9.00 a.m. – 12 noon

Sundays and Holidays Only some confectionary and souvenir shops are open, most shops in the tourist centre are open on Sundays as well.

Opening hours in places of Interest Museums, galleries, castles, chateau: Mondays Closed Tuesday – Sunday 10.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. Most castles are closed during state holidays and from November till March

Voltage, Sockets and plugs 220 v. European norm, three pole earthed plugs have two pins and a hole in the plug and one pin with two holes in the socket.

Population 2006: 10,241,138

Land Area: 78,866 Km2

How to make yourself understood: The older generation can speak German, the younger generation English and German or other languages. At hotels and restaurants the prevailing international languages are spoken, likewise in select shops, as indicated by a notice displayed at the entrance.

Time: Czech Republic lies within the Central European time zone, i.e. GMT + 1 hour, summer time (GMT + 2 hours) is effect from the end of March till end of September

Telephone Country Code: +420

Post Offices: Post offices are usually open from Monday till Friday from 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8.00 a.m. till noon.

Source jmlvillas.com - (some of this information has been provided by jmlvillas.com clients)

Prague at the end of October Visitors to Prague in the Czech Republic speak very warmly of the city, culture and it's people. It was interesting to spend a few days there in late October to find out if this was all true More Here.

Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in the Czech Republic? - Click on the image below

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