Special rules

Before travelling to Slovakia, you should ensure that your passport is in a presentable state.  The Slovak authorities can refuse you entry if your passport is worn or damaged, or looks as if it has been tampered with.

You must carry your passport with you at all times for identification purposes.  It is also advisable to carry a photocopy of your passport, even if you are travelling as part of a group.

Make sure that you have valid motor insurance for your car.  Right-hand drive cars cannot normally be registered in Slovakia, which makes it very difficult to obtain insurance for those who intend to settle or remain in Slovakia to work.

You can drive on a UK driving licence for up to 6 months.

Children under the age of 12 must not sit in the front seat of moving vehicles.

Although reasonably good, many main roads have only a single carriageway in each direction making overtaking difficult.   Road markings are difficult to see in poor weather.

The standard of driving is not high and can be aggressive, with drivers often going too fast (especially in bad weather), pushing into dangerously small gaps, tailgating and overtaking with little regard for other road users. 

Drive defensively and allow yourself more "thinking time".  Specifically, beware of oncoming cars overtaking on your side of the road (particularly on bends and hills).  Older low-powered cars and trucks travel very slowly; be careful not to overestimate their speed.

Most motorways should only be used if you have a motorway sticker (vignette) stuck to the vehicles’ windscreen.  The vignettes are available for 15 days or a whole year and can be purchased at border crossings, petrol stations or Post Offices.

In winter, equip your car for severe driving conditions:  use winter tyres, and if travelling outside Bratislava carry extra warm clothing, hot drinks in a thermos-flask, sacking (to help give tyres purchase in slippery conditions) and a shovel. 

Although winter tyres are not compulsory in Slovakia, where an accident occurs and one vehicle has normal tyres on their vehicle the official presumption is that they are at fault.

From 15 October to 15 March all vehicles must have their headlights switched on, regardless of the weather and if they are in a town or out in the country. It is also mandatory during the winter period to have snow chains in the car available for instant use.

Please note that drivers with any trace of alcohol in their body will be arrested.  There is no permitted level other than 0%.  If you are involved in an accident while driving the Police will give you a breath test regardless of who is to blame.

If you must leave valuables in your car please ensure that they cannot be seen from outside the vehicle, but ideally take the valuables with you.

In the last two summers there have been a few several reported cases of theft of valuables at the Zlaty Piesky camping area in Bratislava.  We recommend particular caution when camping there.

There have been a few reports of drivers of foreign licensed cars being targeted by criminals.  Usually a car tyre will be damaged and when the driver gets out to change it a “good Samaritan” will offer to help.  Part way through the tyre change the helper will need to leave and at this point the driver often finds that valuables that were in the unlocked vehicle have disappeared.  If you have to fix a puncture, or any damage to your tyres, you should ensure that your vehicle is locked before you sort out the problem.

Insurance

All UK car insurance policies automatically provide, at no extra cost, the minimum cover required by law in all European Union (EU) countries. The minimum required is cover for your liability to third parties. If you have an accident, you may not be covered for medical or hospital expenses. Consult your insurance company or a motoring organisation before leaving the UK to make sure that you are fully insured.

Taking your own car

Certain elements of the cover you have in the UK may be restricted to the UK only. So while you might have cover for accidental damage to your own vehicle in the UK, this cover might be removed when you drive abroad. Most people want the same protection they enjoy in the UK when travelling abroad and so you will need to ask your insurer or broker to extend the scope of your cover before you travel if it is not already included. An additional premium may be charged for this extension.

The Green Card

This is an internationally recognised document that serves solely as evidence that the holder has the minimum insurance cover required by law in the country visited. A Green Card provides no insurance cover in itself. Insurers do not charge for a Green Card, though a broker may levy an administration fee for arranging it.

It is not necessary to have a Green Card when travelling to the EU and certain other European countries (see the Association of British Insurers for details), though if you do not take one you should instead carry your Certificate of Insurance. However, a Green Card can serve as easily recognisable proof of third party insurance, for example in the case of an accident, when travelling abroad.

There are other countries party to the Green Card arrangements where you will either need to have a Green Card or purchase insurance at the border. Details of these countries can be found on the Association of British Insurers website.

Accidents.

If you are involved in an accident, immediately tell your insurer or your insurer's representative in the country concerned.

Many insurers issue a European Accident Statement. This enables drivers to exchange facts while events are still fresh in their minds and without admitting liability.

Many insurers offer 24-hour UK-based telephone helplines in case you need help in an emergency. Make sure you have these details with you when you travel abroad.

Breaking Down.

Even if you have extended your policy for driving abroad, this will not cover your car against breaking down. Vehicle breakdown policies can be bought with your holiday insurance or separately. Check to see if your motor insurer can provide this cover.

A policy will cover the cost of hiring a car while your own is being repaired, road-side assistance and emergency repairs, the cost of returning your car to the UK or sending out spare parts, together with emergency accommodation if you are unable to use your vehicle. A monetary limit will apply to each section of the policy.

Hiring a car

When you hire a car abroad, insurance cover is sometimes limited to the legal minimum in the country or state where you hire. You could be held personally responsible for any claim for injury or damage over this limit. Ask your tour operator or insurer if they can provide top-up insurance to increase your cover. This may be cheaper than buying it abroad.

Country specific tips

Driving in Austria | Driving in Belgium | Driving in Bulgaria | Driving in Cyprus | Driving in the Czech Republic | Driving in Denmark | Driving in Estonia | Driving in Finland | Driving in France | Driving in Germany | Driving in Greece | Driving in Hungary | Driving in Ireland | Driving in Italy | Driving in Latvia | Driving in Lithuania | Driving in Luxembourg | Driving in Malta | Driving in the Netherlands | Driving in Poland | Driving in Portugal | Driving in Romania | Driving in Slovakia | Driving in Slovenia | Driving in Spain | Driving in Sweden | Driving in the UK

Don't set off unprepared.

Make sure your vehicle is serviced before you leave and that you know about and comply with the vehicle requirements in the countries you are visiting. Don't go without taking:

• a spare set of keys.
• a GB sticker and a set of headlamp converters.
• a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, tool kit, spare bulbs and warning triangle.
• registration document, driving licence and passport. Check whether you need to take an International Driving Permit with you.
• your UK motor insurance certificate, Green Card (if issued), and details of any breakdown and travel insurance, together with any emergency helpline numbers.

Protect against car thieves.

Foreign registered vehicles attract thieves, so do not make your car an easy target:

Lock all doors and the boot when leaving the vehicle as well as closing windows and the sunroof.

Park in a well-lit place.

Avoid leaving possessions in an unattended vehicle. If you have to leave property, make sure it is in a locked boot. In a hatchback, the rear shelf should be in position. In an estate car, cover up property with a sheet or blanket.

Don't leave car ownership and insurance documents in your car when parked.

Use an anti-theft device.

Take your keys with you at the petrol station when you go to pay.