Emissions Testing (EME) can be done at most service stations and car service establishments. When your car passes the emissions requirement, you will receive a green sticker to put on your license plate.
Driver’s License: In order to drive in the Czech Republic, you must have a valid driver’s license from the Czech Republic or a license from your home country, which should have a photo ID on it accompanied by an International Driver’s License.
|
|
Emissions Testing (EME) can be done at most service stations and car service establishments. When your car passes the emissions requirement, you will receive a green sticker to put on your license plate. |
Fuel is sold at Czech- and foreign-owned filling stations. Many also provide service facilities, car washes, mini-stores and toilets. Several types of fuel are available:
*Caution: There is no protection from inadvertently putting the wrong type of fuel into your car, as nozzles and intakes on cars are all the same size.
 |
Inspection (STK): Your car must have an up-to-date inspection sticker. This inspection is done at the Vehicle Inspection offices, and is required every 2-3 years, depending on the age of your car. When the car passes inspection, you will receive a red sticker that you place on your license plate. |
Insurance: Third-party liability insurance is required by Czech law, but it is based on engine size, and is relatively inexpensive. Insurance for a two-litre engine, for example, is approximately 2600 Kč (100 USD) a year. This is available at Česká Pojištovna offices, or other insurance offices. Fully comprehensive insurance is recommended as an extra precaution in a country currently known for poor driving habits, car theft and what can be complicated administrative procedures when settling claims.
|
Freeway Sticker (Dálniční Známka): If you plan to drive on any of the freeways (motorways) in Prague, you will need to purchase a Freeway (Motorway) sticker, which goes in your front window. A new one must be purchased every year. They are available at the post office and some gas (petrol) stations. (Currently 800 Kč) |
 |
Parking: In Prague, you will find parking
zones designated for residents and institutions. Take care when parking on the street—if you are parked in a
special zone, your car may be towed or booted. If your car is booted, you will find a sticker on your windshield with a
telephone number to call.
prepared because you could have a long wait ahead of you!
It can be
quite difficult to park in the downtown areas of Prague. Many people park on the
outskirts and take public into the center. There are some parking garages in the downtown area.
You can buy a parking ticket for many parking spaces in automated
machines located on the street.
Reserved parking spaces are marked by signs that will either give the
name of the firm that holds those spaces or will list permit numbers that are
eligible to park there. Often you
will see a blue sign with a white “P” on it to indicate a parking area, but
you need to watch for conditions listed on the signs (such as days or hours when
you can park there). If a street
has a blue circular sign on it with a red slash through it, it means that no
parking is allowed on that street.
Police Controls: Occasionally, police officers will pull drivers over to the side of the road to check their papers. This is usually done by signaling the driver over by hand, or holding up a red sign. The police officer will want to see your identification papers (passport & visa), your proof of car registration (Technicky Prukaz), proof of car insurance, and your driver’s license.
Registration: Your car must be registered with the police before you can drive it legally. This registration can be obtained at the Dopravní Inspektorát (police station) near Corinthia Towers in Prague 4.
Speed Limits: The speed limits in the Czech Republic are 50 Km/hr in the cities, 90 on the highways, and 130 on the freeway, unless otherwise marked
Traffic Laws: Traffic regulations in the Czech Republic are similar to those in the rest of Europe. Driving with any alcohol in your bloodstream is very serious, and any traffic violation is punishable by an on-the-spot fine. (Example: Running a stop sign is 200 crowns) Use of a seatbelt is required. Children under 12 may not ride in the front seat. If you are involved in a traffic accident, do not leave the scene. You must wait until the police arrive to conduct a full investigation. When daylight savings time changes (3rd week of October) through March, all vehicles have to have their headlights turned on 24 hrs/day. Mobile telephones can only be used with a hands-free system
Blinking traffic lights signal danger. A blinking yellow light does not mean you have the right of way. Look at the traffic sign posted at the intersection. If it is a stop sign, stop. If it is a yellow diamond, you have the right of way. A yellow diamond with a black diagonal line across it means that you do NOT have the right of way.
Traffic lights turn red, yellow, and then green. After dark, most traffic lights only operate blinking yellow lights. While pedestrians now legally have the right of way, this is a relatively new law, so don’t expect that drivers will necessarily stop. Pedestrians should cross at designated crosswalks when the green pedestrian light is on.
Trams have full right of way. Generally, it is prohibited to drive on the tram tracks. Due to space constraints, however, drivers often do drive on the tracks. When both trams and a car have a green light, the car must allow all trams to pass before proceeding if the car’s path crosses the tram’s path.
 |
A yellow diamond—You will see this sign as you approach an intersection, and it means that you have the right-of-way. This is especially important if the traffic lights are out, and you need to know which cars have the right-of-way. |
A red, upside-down triangle—This yield sign will let you know that you do not have the right-of-way at an intersection.
 |
A white sign with black lines of varying thickness—This is a very important sign to pay attention to at an intersection. The sign uses lines to show the path of the roads at the upcoming intersection. The dark, thicker black line indicates the road that has the right of way. The lighter, thinner lines indicate the roads that yield to the dark line. Sometimes you will need to yield to cars that can turn right in front of you, so you must watch these signs carefully! |
A blue circle with a red “X” through it—This indicates that there is no stopping or parking along this road beyond the sign.
A blue circle with a red slash through it—This indicates that there is no parking allowed beyond the sign.
Other useful signs are: