Rules of traffic in CZ

Driving in the Czech Republic

Traffic rules in the Czech Republic are similar to those in many european countries. Please, follow the traffic rules when renting a car in Prague. 

Things to Remember:

  1. Right-driving.
  2. Both front and backseat passengers must wear seat belts for the entire duration of the ride.

  3. Speed limit in built-up areas is 50 km/h (31 mph), outside cities and towns you can go 90 km/h (55 mph), and this rises up to 130 km/h on highways (80 mph).
  4. Drinking and driving is prohibited (alcohol limit in the Czech republic is 0.0 % as opposed to Germany where you can have a glass of beer before driving).
  5. Dipped headlights must be on at all times throughout the year.

Compulsory car equipment

  • First-aid kit.
  • Warning triangle.
  • Reflective jacket. Any passenger getting out of the car outside built-up areas on a road or a highway is obliged to wear a reflective jacket. A reflective jacket must be kept within the car (i.e. not in the boot).
  • Winter tyres. From the 1st of November till the 31st of March it is mandatory to have winter tyres with a minimum tread depth of 4 mm. Studded winter tyres are prohibited. You can take winter tyres at our company for free.

Parking rules in Prague

Paid Parking zones – Parking in Prague

In Prague, parking is regulated by PAID PARKING ZONES (PPZ) in order to protect residents living in parts of town with a lot of traffic and to motivate visitors to avoid these parts of town and park in said zones only for period of time they really need. This way they will free up parking space for others. The founder of the PPZ is the city of Prague. The institute for technical maintenance of communications (ITMC) is the responsible supervisor of PPZ.
The new conception of PPZ offers three basic parking modes.

Blue zone (Residents)

The blue zone, marked with a blue line (vertical and horizontal signs) is designated for residents. Only residents with a valid parking permit and abonents may park on the blue zone. Others may use the blue zone for parking only after paying via the virtual parking clock web app, as there are no parking ticket machines installed in the blue zone. This way of use of the blue zone allows for maximum time of 3 hours. The city of Prague is divided into three price sectors, which determine the cost of parking. (Map of the price sectors) The pricelist is available for download.

Purple zone (Mixed)

The purple zone, marked with a discontinuous white line and a traffic sign with a purple stripe is meant for so called mixed parking. Owners of a valid parking permit may use the purple zone without limitations. Others may use it for a maximum of 24 hours and only after paying via the virtual parking clock web app or using the parking ticket machine. The city of Prague is divided into three price sectors, which determine the cost of parking. (Map of the price sectors) The pricelist is available for download.

Orange zone (Visitors)

The orange zone, marked with a discontinuous white line and a traffic sign with an orange stripe is designated for so called short time parking. All users may park on the orange zone for a maximum of 3 hours and only after paying via the virtual parking clock web app or using the parking ticket machine. The city of Prague is divided into three price sectors, which determine the cost of parking. (Map of the price sectors) The pricelist is available for download.

Visitor parking payment

Parking tickets can be paid for using either the parking ticket machine (payment by card or cash: CZK/EUR) or by using the virtual parking clock web app. Customers will be identified using the license plate number of their vehicle. Inspection of parking permits will be conducted automatically using a monitoring system. That way there is no need to display the parking ticket or the permit behind the windshield of the vehicle.

Opening hours of the paid parking zones

The general opening hours are from Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 8:00pm but this can vary depending on the city part and different locations. Out of opening hours the parking is not regulated.

OUR CAR FLEET

Traffic Fines & Fees in the Czech Republic

Alcohol

  • Blood alcohol limit is 0.0%
  • If your blood alcohol level is less than 0.3%, you will be fined from 10 000 CZK (400 EUR) up to 20 000 CZK (800 EUR)
  • If your blood alcohol level is more than 0.3%, you will be fined from 25 000 CZK (1000 EUR) up to 50 000 CZK (2000 EUR)

Dipped headlights

Having dipped headlights on is mandatory throughout the year in the Czech republic. Violation of this rule will cost you 2000 CZK (80 EUR).

Children

Children under 12 years old and/or less than 150 cm (4.92 feet) tall must seat at the back and must use child safety seats.

Safety seat belts

Seat belts must be fastened both in the front and in the back seats in the Czech republic. A fee for violation of this rule is 2000 CZK (80 EUR).

Mobile phones

Use of a mobile phone is not permitted while driving in the Czech republic. However, it is possible to use a hands-free kit. You will have to pay 1000 CZK (40 EUR) for violation of this rule.

Use of radar detection devices is strongly prohibited under a heavy fine of 100 000 CZK (4 000 EUR).

Violation of overtaking and passing rules: 5 000 – 10 000 CZK (200 – 400 EUR)

Red light violation: 2 000 CZK (80 EUR)

Failing to stop before a pedestrian crossing: 2 500 CZK (100 EUR)

Speed limit violation by 40 km/h (24 mph) in built-up areas and by 50 km/h (31 mph) outside cities and towns: 5 000 – 10 000 CZK (200 – 400 EUR)

You can pay the fine directly to the police officer right after the infraction takes place. In case you don’t have enough cash, you’ll be provided with a payment device to pay by card.

Traffic fines in the Czech Republic, Austria and Germany: comparison

It stands to mention that the following numbers are minimum fines. You have a right to refuse to pay the fine to the police officer, and then the case will be sent to court where the amount of the fine will rise up to twice (or more) as much as it originally was.

The Czech Republic Austria Germany
Overtaking and passing violation 200 36 70
Red light violation 100 36 90-360
Speed limit violation by 31-40 km/h (19-24 mph) 100 70 120
Using a mobile phone while driving 40 50 40
Unfastened safety seat belt 80 35 30

Emergency contact numbers

  • Police – 158
  • Medical emergency – 155
  • Fire emergency – 150
  • Or one number – 112
123
Mid market exchange rate at 14:02

FAQ

RUNWELL car rental office is located in the very centre of Prague, 200 meters from the Wenceslas Square, in the same building where our rental cars are based. The full office address is Wilsonova 6, Prague 1.

Having finalised the documents for car rental, you will have the car ready within a few minutes. Unless you request a different return place at the time of ordering the car, you are expected to return the car in the office at the time specified in the contract. Be reminded that car delivery within Prague is free of charge, whereas the cost of car delivery to the Vaclav Havel international airport is EUR 20. For more information about car delivery and return in other cities of the Czech Republic and Europe please refer here.

There are several ways to park a car in Prague overnight without risking to violate parking rules of the Czech capital. The easiest way is to arrange parking in the hotel where you stay. If the hotel is located in the city centre or nearby, most likely it will be an extra charged service. If you are accommodated further out in the outskirts, then perhaps parking will be free of charge. Parking in the city allows you to park the car overnight in certain places marked by a white dotted line: even though from 6, 8 or 24 pm until 8 am parking is very often for free, please pay attention to the signs. It is important to bear in mind that you must not leave the car on the blue line because those parking places are reserved exclusively for Prague residents. For our customers who have rented a car from RUNWELL company we provide a possibility to park in our parking lot in the centre of Prague at a special price of EUR 10 per day.

Yes, you can return the car whenever you wish. It is a free service for our clients during working hours, i.e. between 8 am and 8 pm, whereas returning the car outside those hours, i.e. between 8 pm and 8 am will be charged extra. In case of an earlier car return the rental fee is not refunded, unless otherwise agreed.

Car return should be executed exactly at the time specified in the contract. If your plans change and you wish to prolong the car rental period, it is worth informing us in advance. Depending on the schedule of your car booking by next customers we shall either extend its rental period or exchange your car for another vehicle. It is important to note that in this case the cost of car hire will be calculated according to the “flexible tariff, when the rental cost per day decreases depending on the number of rental days + the cost per one extra day”. In other words, renting a car in Prague for 4 days will end up being cheaper than car rental for 3 days plus an extension by one more day.

Should the client be late with car return at the time specified in the contract, fail to inform RUNWELL company in advance and not answer phone calls, then in addition to the cost of an extra day of rent, RUNWELL company is entitled to impose a fine starting from CZK 1000. If the car is not returned within three days after the date of expected return specified in the contract, the car is considered stolen and the police of the Czech Republic take over the investigations and the car search.

RUNWELL rent a car

Do you need a car rental in Prague? We offer new rental cars at the best price for our customers that they received the best rent a car experience in our country. You can pick up the car in Prague and plan your trip to see the cities and towns along with the most beautiful natural spots across the Czech Republic and all around Europe. RUNWELL is a low cost hire car company in the centre of Prague with free delivery and no hidden fees. We provide all include rent a car service every day from 8.00 till 20.00. Simple, easy and reliable rent a car in Prague with RUNWELL.

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