Driving in Serbia: Rules, Tolls and Rental Cars

Driving rules and equipment

Drive on the right, overtake on the left. Seatbelts are mandatory front and rear. Children under 12 may not sit in the front, and under-3s must use a child seat.

Headlights on at all times, day or night, on all roads. Daytime running lights are accepted.

Mandatory equipment in every car (rental cars come pre-equipped):

• Reflective high-visibility vest (worn before exiting after a breakdown)
• Warning triangle
• First-aid kit
• Spare bulbs (technically required, often unchecked)
• Spare wheel and jack, or tyre repair kit

Mobile phone use while driving is prohibited; hands-free is permitted.

Winter tyres (M+S) are required from 1 November to 1 April. Snow chains must be carried on selected mountain routes in winter when posted.

Speed limits and enforcement

Speed enforcement uses both fixed radar cameras (on the A1 and around Belgrade) and unmarked police cars. On-the-spot fines for moderate speeding are typically 5,000-10,000 RSD (40-85 EUR). Major offences can result in a court appearance.

The 0.02 alcohol limit

Serbia has one of the strictest drink-drive limits in Europe: 0.02 g/L blood-alcohol concentration for ordinary drivers, 0.00 for novice drivers (under 3 years' experience) and professional drivers. In practice, this is a zero-tolerance regime. Even a small beer with lunch can put you over the limit if tested.

Police breath-test stops are common, especially on weekend evenings and around holidays. Refusal to take a breath test is treated as a positive result. The fine for 0.02-0.05 g/L is around 10,000-20,000 RSD; above 0.05 the penalties escalate and licence suspension becomes likely.

Tolls and how to pay

Serbia uses a toll-per-segment system on its main motorways (A1 Belgrade-Niš-Macedonia, A2 Belgrade-Čačak, parts of A3 Belgrade-Croatian border, plus the Belgrade Bypass). You take a ticket on entry and pay at the exit barrier. There is no nationwide vignette like Hungary or Slovenia.

Payment options at toll booths:

• Cash in RSD (always accepted)
• Cash in EUR (accepted, change in RSD)
• Visa, Mastercard contactless
• ENP electronic transponder (for residents and frequent users)

Indicative toll costs as of 2026: Belgrade to Niš (250 km) on A1 — around 1,000 RSD (8.50 EUR) for a car. Belgrade to Subotica (180 km) on A1 — around 700 RSD.

Renting a car in Serbia

Major international rental companies operate at Belgrade Airport (Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Europcar) and in Belgrade city centre, plus local agencies (Voyage, Caroline, Vesim). Rates start from around 30-40 EUR per day for an economy car in low season, 50-80 EUR in summer.

Requirements:

• Valid driving licence (EU and most national licences are accepted; an International Driving Permit is recommended for non-Latin-script licences)
• Credit card (debit cards often refused for the deposit)
• Minimum age usually 21-23, with a young-driver surcharge under 25

Cross-border travel: If you plan to drive from Serbia into Kosovo, Bosnia, or Montenegro, confirm with the rental company. Most allow it with prior notice; some specifically restrict Kosovo. Get a cross-border insurance addendum in writing.

Parking in Belgrade and major cities

Belgrade uses a colour-coded paid parking zone system on-street:

• Red zone (centre): 1 hour maximum, around 140 RSD/hour
• Yellow zone: 2 hours maximum, around 80 RSD/hour
• Green zone: 3 hours maximum, around 50 RSD/hour

Pay by SMS to short codes posted on each street (you send your plate; the system replies with confirmation), through the Park Smart Belgrade app, or at parking meters. SMS-based payment requires a Serbian-network SIM in most cases; tourists are better off using the app or finding a covered garage.

Underground garages are common around Republic Square, Knez Mihailova, and Trg Slavija. Daily rates are typically 800-1,500 RSD. Novi Sad has a similar but simpler zone system; Niš uses paid kerbside parking in the centre.

Driving across the border

Bringing your own car into Serbia: you need the vehicle registration, third-party insurance valid for Serbia (green card with the "SRB" box not crossed out), and your passport. EU drivers' insurance routinely covers Serbia; check your policy if outside the EU.

Busy summer crossings (Horgoš from Hungary, Batrovci from Croatia, Gradina from Bulgaria) can have waits of 1-3 hours during peak weekends in July and August. Border officers may inspect the trunk and ask basic questions about your destination. Cash limits: amounts above 10,000 EUR equivalent must be declared.

What to do if police stop you

Routine traffic stops are common, particularly on highways and at weekend evening checkpoints. Police will ask for your driving licence, passport or ID, vehicle registration, and insurance papers. Stay polite, hand over documents one at a time, and do not exit the vehicle unless asked.

On-the-spot fines for minor offences can be paid in cash at the roadside (the officer will write a receipt). Larger fines must be paid at a bank or post office within 8 days. Always insist on a written receipt; if you are uncomfortable, you can ask to be escorted to the nearest police station instead of paying on the spot.

Police corruption against tourists is rare and decreasing; report any irregularity to the Ministry of Interior afterwards if you feel pressured to pay an unwritten "fee".