Drivin' in Czechia
All you need to drive smart in the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is now a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. Many of the country’s attractions are best explored by car, whether your own or a rental. But which documents do you need to drive a car in the Czech Republic? Tourists from the European Union have it easier, but other travelers need not worry about complications, as you will see in the following article.
Quick overview – pocket checklist
- valid driver’s license (EU / EEA / Switzerland = enough; most others need IDP)
- International Driving Permit (IDP) – 1949 Geneva or 1968 Vienna format
- Passport (+ visa if needed)
- Green Card insurance certificate*
- vehicle registration certificate / rental agreement
- electronic motorway vignette (if you use the motorway)
- mandatory on-board equipment (hi-vis vest, first-aid kit, warning triangle …)
1. A valid national or EU driver’s licence
EU, EEA and Switzerland
With the plastic EU licence you may drive in Czechia during a short stay. If your period of usual residence exceeds 12 months, the Czech authorities can require you to exchange it for a Czech licence within three months.
Licences from outside the EU
Drivers from non-EU countries generally need an International Driving Permit (IDP) – see next section – or an official translation of the licence.
2. International Driving Permit (IDP)
When is it mandatory? Almost always if your national licence is not issued in the EU/EEA.
Which version? Most countries (including Czechia) recognise the 1968 Vienna Convention.
Real-life example: short-term visitors from the USA must carry an IDP alongside their US licence; long-term residents must swap to a Czech licence within three months. – US Embassy Prague
3. Passport and visa / residence card
Your driving licence is not an identity document. Czech Police routinely check:
- A valid passport (EU citizens may show an ID card),
- Visas or residence permits if you come from a visa-obliged country or stay longer than 90 days within Schengen.
4. Proof of insurance – Green Card
Since 1 October 2024 Czech-registered vehicles no longer need to carry a paper or digital Green Card insurance certificate; police verify cover online.
As a foreigner, it’s still recommended to keep the Green Card with you. It could be in physical form or in PDF format.
5. Vehicle registration certificate & technical record
In Czechia the driver carries the small technical certificate (Czech registration card). For a hire car, the rental agreement with a copy of the registration is sufficient. Many companies offer an electronic version in their app – accepted only if all mandatory data are included.
6. Electronic motorway vignette
Czechia runs a fully digital toll system for its highway system. Buy a vignette via edalnice.cz and keep the e-mail/app receipt. Cameras on the motorway validate it automatically.
Electronic vignettes for Czech motorways
How much do they cost? On which motorways is it compulsory to have a Czech vignette? And where to buy them?
7. Mandatory on-board equipment and roadside checks
| Item | Minimum requirement in Czechia |
|---|---|
| Hi-vis vest | For the driver, reachable from the cabin |
| Warning triangle | 1 pc |
| First-aid kit | Approved set, per decree |
| Spare wheel or repair kit | Required unless on run-flats |
Mandatory car equipment
Read on to find out what you’re legally required to keep in your vehicle – and what you can safely leave in the garage.
How to fill in a traffic accident record
Check a simple guide on how to fill in the Traffic Accident Report correctly.
8. What if a document is missing?
| Offence | On-the-spot fine (indicative) |
|---|---|
| Missing IDP / invalid licence | CZK 2,000–5,000 |
| Uninsured vehicle | up to CZK 50,000 |
| Invalid motorway vignette | CZK 5,000 (summary ticket) |
| Forgotten passport / ID card | CZK 500–2,000 |
Frequently asked questions
Yes. The US licence must always be accompanied by an IDP. Without it, the rental company won’t release the car and the police can fine you.
It’s still recommended to have a physical Green Card with you. However, Czech drivers can have it in PDF format.
Yes. A UK licence is recognised in Czechia for stays up to 90 days. For longer stays you must exchange it for a Czech licence under the same rules as EU licences.
Yes. Enforcement uses cameras, but for peace of mind keep the e-mail confirmation offline.
