Driving in Slovakia

The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. Children must be at least 12 years of age and over 1.5 metres tall to sit in the front seat. The use of seat belts is compulsory for front- and rear-seat passengers. Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists and their passengers. Goggles are compulsory for motorcyclists riding a machine having a 50 cc or larger engine. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0 mg. Speed limits are as follows: 60 kph (36 mph) in built-up areas, 90 kph (56 mph) outside built-up areas, 130 kph (78 mph) on expressways, 80 kph (50 mph) for a car with a caravan or trailer travelling outside built-up areas or on expressways, and 90 kph (56 mph) for motorcycles outside built-up areas. Look out for the likes of Skoda Favorits, VW Golfs and Renault 21s parked at the side of the road: they're unmarked police cars with radar. On the highways police often get their damning evidence using more powerful cars, such as Fords, to come up even with your vehicle, at which point they film their speedometre and your vehicle.

A tram signalling a right turn and set to cross the line of a vehicle on its right has priority.

Headlights must be used when weather slightly impairs visibility. Vehicles waiting at level train crossings, however, should only have sidelights on. Motorcycles must be operated with headlights on-night and day. Horns can be used only to warn of danger or to signal that you're about to pass. The use of horns is always prohibited in Bratislava.

Trams should be passed on the right; if there is no room on the right, trams can be passed on the left-except in Bratislava. When near a tram stop do not pass.

Police are empowered to collect fines of up to 2000 SK on the spot. The fine for breaking speed limit by less than 20 kph is 300 Sk; the fine for doing so by between 20 kph an 30 kph is 500 SK.

Parking

Parking is allowed only on the right side of the road, unless the road is one way, then parking is on the left. Parking along a tram line is prohibited unless a 3.5-metre wide lane is left between the vehicle and the tram lane.

Fuel

Fuel stations are located on main roads exiting towns. Some close at 6pm, but many are open 24 hours. You can get a list of 24-hour stations from Satur. It's difficult to find a station in Brataslava; fuel up on the way in or out. Credit cards are accepted in main towns and in popular tourist areas. Leaded regular petrol has an octane rating of 90; the octane rating of super is 96. Lead-free petrol is known as natural and is only available at select stations; its octane rating is 95 or 98. UNI91 and UNI95 can be used in place of either leaded or unleaded. Diesel is designated by a sign that reads TT Diesel; it's called nafta. Some stations in large towns and touristed areas accept credit cards. Gas/petrol (benzin) comes as Natural 95 and 98 (unleaded) or UNI91 and UNI95, which can be used in place of either leaded or unleaded.

Remember: stations aren't as frequent as in Western Europe and only some are open past 6 P.M. Get a list of 24-hour ones from Satur.

Tolls

To travel on expressways drivers must display a special sticker on their windshield. The stickers are sold at border crossings for 400600 SK, depending on a vehicle's engine capacity (cars under 2 tons qualify for the 400 SK sticker), and are valid for one year.