The Ultimate Guide to Driving in Serbia

Wish to explore Serbia’s picturesque countryside and enjoy breathtaking scenery? One of the best ways to experience this Balkan country is by going on a road trip.

From visiting historical sites and discovering the country’s rich cultural heritage to exploring natural attractions like mountains and lakes, there is so much to look forward to when traveling and driving through Serbia.

Honestly, I feel there is a huge stereotype that driving in Serbia is dangerous and that the roads here are in poor condition and full of potholes. Although you may come across a patch of a rural road that needs maintenance, the paid motorways that connect major cities and even most of the secondary roads in Serbia are modern and generally in good condition.  

Also, for some reason, Balkan drivers have a reputation for being crazy. I don’t think that’s true at all. Maybe we use the horn a lot and some people love to speed on motorways, but in general, drivers in Serbia are pretty much safe drivers.

If you are planning on driving in Serbia as a foreign tourist for the first time, it is important to gather all the necessary information from what documents you need to info on speed limits, parking, and tolls. This guide intends to give you just that – all the tools and information you need about driving in Serbia to make your journey stress-free.

General rules about driving in Serbia

If you are visiting Serbia from another country with a car, there are some general rules that you should stick to. Like in most European countries, you will be driving on the right side of the road in Serbia.  

As for documentation, you will need a full driving license that is valid in your country of residence. In case you have a driver’s license issued outside of the EU, it is recommended to have an International Driving Permit along with your driver’s license. For example, if you are driving in Serbia with a US license, pack both your local driver’s license and an international driving permit.

The good news is that you don’t need a green card when you are entering and driving in Serbia. Make sure you always travel to Serbia with a valid travel insurance policy for your car.

When it comes to consuming alcohol, the legal blood alcohol limit here is 0.03% for regular drivers. There is a zero-tolerance policy for HGV drivers, folks with a test driver’s license, and professional drivers. Keep in mind that penalties for driving under the influence in Serbia can be severe.

Other important driving rules you should know

Here is a list of some of the other general rules about driving in Serbia:

• Everyone in the car should wear a seatbelt at all times, both in the front and rear seats
• Children under 12 years old can’t travel in the front seat
• Use headlights both day and night, as well as during poor visibility conditions
• You will be given an on-the-spot traffic fine if they catch you committing a driving offense in Serbia. Dealing with these fines can be quite annoying, especially during a trip, so make sure you drive within the speed limits and obey the traffic rules.
• Talking on your phone and driving at the same time is prohibited in Serbia. However, phones can be used with a hands-free system

Speed limits in Serbia

To ensure a safe journey through the country, it’s important to adhere to the local speed limits. In Serbia, speed limits vary. In urban areas, the general speed limit is 50km/h, while outside the urban areas and on regional roads, the speed limit is 80km/h. On highways in Serbia, the general speed limit is 130 km/h.

Road conditions in Serbia

As I mentioned before, most of the main roads in Serbia are in good condition, and driving here should be super easy if you are already used to driving. The country has an extensive network of well-maintained roads ranging from small rural routes to highways.

However, I’ll be honest and say that some secondary roads in Serbia could be better. If you are planning to visit natural attractions in remote areas, you should know that the roads that lead up to these destinations aren’t always going to be perfect.

On the other hand, travelers visiting major towns in Serbia like Belgrade, Subotica, Novi Sad, and Nis, will spend most of their time driving down a well-paved highway. 

Information about highways & tolls in Serbia

Serbia has nearly 1,000 km of motorways. 

Crossing the country from north to south, A1 is the main highway in the country and the one most tourists need to drive on when visiting Serbia for the first time. This is because it passes popular destinations like Subotica, Novi Sad, and Nis. This highway ends at the border crossing with North Macedonia.

You don’t need a vignette when driving in Serbia. Toll fees in Serbia are collected at toll gates on highways. These toll gates are mainly located near the borders with neighboring countries. You can pay either by cash or card. 

The good news is that on 30th December 2022, the Public Enterprise “Roads of Serbia” put an electronic toll collection (ETC) web service into operation. If you will be renting a car for your trip to Serbia, this is something worth checking with the rental company. Some providers may offer cars that have the ETC tag included so you won’t need to stop and pay the tolls manually.

If you wish to save money, you can always take a toll-free road that your GPS suggests. Some of these roads are quite scenic I have to admit.

However, the speed limit on local roads is lower when compared to the highway and you will probably end up having a longer journey. I should also mention that some of these roads are narrow, so overtaking slower-moving cars or trucks can feel like a nightmare and take some extra time.

Parking in Serbia

Driving in Serbia as a foreigner or tourist is a pleasant experience. On the other hand, foreign visitors may experience some issues when trying to find parking in Serbia.

I am an outdoorsy person and love nature attractions. Most of these places are located in rural parts where I can just park on the side of the road. If you want to also have an outdoor-focused trip, I strongly recommend getting a car because the best way to reach these places is by driving there.

Things get a little bit more complicated when trying to find parking in cities like Belgrade and Novi Sad, especially for tourists and foreigners driving in Serbia. 

Do you need to rent a car for your trip?

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Parking in large cities in Serbia

The problem with parking in Serbia is that the payment is done almost entirely via SMS messages. I mean, most cities have a parking system that uses SMS messages to pay for street parking. So, if you don’t have a Serbian SIM card, paying for parking can be a hassle.

I should also mention that Serbian cities have three parking zones for street parking: red, green, and yellow. The difference between them is the maximum allowed duration and the cost per hour. In my opinion, the best place to park your vehicle in Serbia as a tourist is in a paid parking garage or lot. By doing this, you won’t have to deal with parking zones and local SMS messages.

Parking can vary differently from town to town in this Balkan country. You won’t have a problem finding a free parking spot on the street in smaller cities and villages in Serbia. On the other side, finding a street parking space during working hours in central parts of Belgrade may seem like mission impossible. As I mentioned, the best alternative to street parking in major cities in Serbia, especially Belgrade, is paid parking garages.

Driving your car in Belgrade, Serbia

Speaking of Belgrade…

Most tourists driving in Serbia will want to visit the country’s capital, Belgrade. Like many other capital cities in Europe, Belgrade has problems with both parking and traffic jams during peak hours.

Although the roads in the city are generally okay, the traffic in the morning and in the afternoon when people are getting back from work can be chaotic. There are no crazy traffic jams like you would find in cities like Los Angeles and London, but if you are enjoying your vacation, driving around Belgrade during peak hours on workdays is not that fun. 

Want to hear some good news? Most of the popular tourist attractions in Belgrade are within walking distance or easily reachable via tram and bus. Taxis are also reasonably priced and you can use the Car.Go app which is similar to Uber and Bolt to find one.

I don’t recommend getting a car if you intend on staying only in Belgrade – the car becomes useful only when traveling through different parts of Serbia.

Traffic Violations and Fines in Serbia

Violating traffic rules in Serbia and getting caught means that you’ll need to pay a fine. I definitely don’t encourage people to do this, but if it happens, it’s good to know how much money you should expect to pay.

Here is a list of common traffic fines in Serbia.

• Running a red light: 170 EUR
• Various parking violations: 40 EUR
• Speeding: 25 to 1,000 EUR
• Driving without a seat belt: 85 EUR
• Using your mobile phone while driving: 50 EUR
• Driving under the influence: 85 to 1,000 EUR
• Driving children without having child seats in the car:  85 EUR

FAQ – Popular questions about driving in Serbia

Can you drive in Serbia with a UK license?

Yep. You can drive in Serbia with your valid UK driving license. It is also recommended to have an International Driving Permit, alongside your UK driving license.

Do I need a green card to drive in Serbia?

For those who don’t know, Serbia is a part of the Green Card System which means that travelers are no longer required to have a green card to drive their vehicles in Serbia.

Is it difficult to drive in Serbia?

Driving in Serbia is relatively easy. With nearly 1,000 km of highways that connect all of the big cities, Serbia has well-developed roads for driving. There are some narrow mountain roads in the south where you should drive more carefully.

The road signs in Serbia follow the general international standard, so if you are used to traveling abroad, driving in Serbia should be straightforward for you.

Do I need a vignette to drive in Serbia?

No. Unlike some of the other European countries, Serbia does not have vignettes. Travelers driving in Serbia will pay for toll gates at toll gates.

Does Serbia have highways?

Yes. Serbia has 961.8 km of highways in service.

What is the longest road in Serbia?

The longest road in Serbia is the A1 highway which is 612 km long and runs from the Hungarian border in the north to the border with Macedonia in the south.  

How do I pay road tolls in Serbia?

All types of vehicles are subjected to toll payment here in Serbia. At toll gates, you can pay with cash, credit card, and via electronic toll collection (ETC).

What side of the road do they drive on in Serbia?

Like in most European countries, driving in Serbia is on the right side of the road.

Whether you wish to discover cute villages and try local food delicacies, stay in nature and admire the beauty of waterfalls and lakes, or spend your days in urban areas with a fabulous nightlife scene, a visit to Serbia promises to be a memorable experience.

The best way to discover every corner of the country is with a car. As long as you drive responsibly, obey traffic rules, and follow this guide to driving in Serbia, you’ll be just fine!