Driving in Slovak Republic

But if you’re planning a road trip to Slovakia, it’s essential you’re fully prepared ahead of time as driving there has many differences to the UK. 

To make your trip to the Continent as safe and effortless as possible, we’ve put together a guide to everything you need to know before you go, from required documents to rules of the road.  

Driving a rented vehicle? Jump to the advice for driving a hire car in Slovakia section.

RAC European Breakdown Cover (Basic and Comprehensive) provides a wide range of benefits should you breakdown in Slovakia to ensure you stay safe. 

To supplement this, RAC also offers travel insurance. Cover will include medical expenses, baggage, personal money and belongings, among many other benefits.

If you need short term insurance for your vehicle, RAC Temporary Car Insurance is perfect for you.

• A valid, full UK driving licence (you must also be 18 or over)
• Your motor insurance certificate
• The V5 registration document for your own car or the hire car paperwork for a rental

Do I need a GB or UK sticker for driving in Slovakia?

From 28th September 2021, the distinguishing mark (or national identifier) displayed on vehicles registered in the United Kingdom that are driven abroad will change from GB to UK.  

This means that vehicles registered in the UK must display the letters “UK” when driven in Slovakia.   

The identifier can be incorporated in vehicle number plates (along with the Union Flag) or as a separate sticker. Note that vehicles featuring the letters GB together with the Council of Europe golden stars are no longer valid for driving abroad.

If your vehicle does not have the UK identifier within the number plate, you will require a UK sticker when driving in Slovakia. GB stickers will no longer be valid from the end of September.

Do I need an insurance green card?

From 2nd August 2021, drivers will no longer require an insurance green card for taking their vehicles to Slovakia.

ETIAS – 2025

ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is a visa program for visitors who don’t need a Schengen visa, who want to travel to the European Union and a few other European countries.

Visitors who purchase an ETIAS will be able to enter the 26 member states of the Schengen Zone as well as Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania.

This will be launching in 2025. Learn more about ETIAS here.

Aside from the documents above, there are some legally-required items you must bring with you to drive in Slovakia.

Unless your headlights can be adjusted, it's a legal requirement to carry headlamp converters (stickers for your headlights when driving on the right, so your lights don't dazzle motorists coming the other way).

A warning triangle is also compulsory to carry in vehicles in case of a breakdown.

It's also recommended to have:

• Spare bulbs for your car's external lights
• A fire extinguisher 
• A first-aid kit
• A reflective jacket
• You can pick up all the car kit you need from RAC Shop.

Is there anything that I shouldn’t take with me?

Be aware that you cannot take the following with you into Slovakia:

• meat or products containing meat
• milk or dairy products

You cannot take the following unless you pay to have them inspected before you leave and get a ‘phytosanitary certificate’:

• fresh fruit (apart from bananas, coconuts, dates, pineapples and durians)
• vegetables
• plants
• plant products

• If you're taking your own car and it has damaged bodywork, get this officially certified when you enter Slovakia, otherwise you may have difficulty getting the go-ahead to take your car out of the country
• Although in good condition, many main roads only have a single carriageway in each direction, so beware of cars overtaking, especially on bends
• In Slovakia, you drive on the right and overtake on the left. Trams and vehicles from the right generally have priority
• Horns should only be used to warn of danger or to signify your intention to overtake
• If you’re involved in any sort of collision, you must notify the police and get an accident report for insurance purposes
• You will have to pay to use the motorways - you'll need an e-vignette as proof of payment, which can be bought online or at petrol stations, post offices and border stations
• Sat-navs must not be placed in the middle of your car windscreen or anywhere they could obstruct your view of the road. It’s also illegal to carry or use any radar detection equipment
• If you're caught committing a motoring offence while driving through Slovakia, you could be given an on-the-spot fine of up to €650
• Seat belts must be worn at all times in both the front and rear of vehicles equipped with belts
• Child restraints must be used for children weighing less than 36kg. Children under the age of 12 and those less than 150cm in height are not allowed to travel in the front seat
• Slovakia has a zero-tolerance policy on drink and drug-driving. The limit for all drivers 0.00%. Police can test any driver suspected of being over the limit, and refusing to take a test could see you fined up to €1,300

The speed limit is 50km/h in built-up areas, 90km/h on open roads and 130km/h on motorways.

• Unleaded petrol, diesel and LPG are readily available throughout Slovakia. Most petrol stations will accept payment by credit card, and those located on the major highways are usually open 24 hours a day
• Parking can be limited in built-up areas, with restricted zones signposted. Wheel clamps are used in the main towns and vehicles may be towed away if parked illegally

In an emergency

112 - Here's a really important bit of knowledge; you can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you're visiting.

Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French.

Breaking down in Slovakia

RAC offers great-value, flexible RAC European breakdown cover tailored to meet your needs. We also offer comprehensive travel insurance, including cover for medical expenses, baggage, personal money and belongings.

Not all of the information in the guide above will be relevant to those looking to rent a hire car in Slovakia.

Though it might be a good idea to read through everything anyway, here are the most important things to know for drivers of rental vehicles:

Rental information

• The minimum age to hire a car is 21
• You need a full, valid UK driving licence and usually a second proof of ID (passport)
• Some car rental companies ask that you have held your licence for a minimum term of one year
• Some companies require you to use a credit card for deposit
• You may not be able to drive outside of Slovakia unless planned in advance - check with your hire company first
• Make sure you get car hire excess insurance before your trip to protect yourself from unexpected costs. It's almost always cheaper to do this with a separate insurer and in advance

Hire car driving tips

• Slovaks drive on the right and overtake on the left - the opposite to the UK
• The national speed limit on Slovakian motorways is  50km/h in built-up areas, 90km/h on open roads and 130km/h on motorways.
• Dial 112 in an emergency
• It’s compulsory to wear seat belts in the front and rear seats
• The blood alcohol content limit for drivers of private vehicles is strictly zero

UK Government travel advice

See up-to-date travel advice