Serbia

Key points for young drivers:

• Motorway 130 km/h, expressway 100 km/h, outside built-up areas 80 km/h, in built-up areas 50 km/h.
• Alcohol: 0.2 ‰, with a probationary licence – 0.0. Best to drive on zero.
• Dipped headlights on all year, round the clock.
• High-visibility vest for every person in the car.
• Original vehicle registration certificate only; no Green Card needed.
• Motorways tolled at toll booths, with average speed checks.

Seat belts and child seats

The driver and all passengers wear seat belts.

A child under 12 may not travel in the front – exception: a child up to 3 in a child seat. Anyone shorter than 135 cm travels in an approved child seat.

Traffic lights

No specific information in official sources – follow traffic lights as in most EU countries.

Helmet not compulsory

No data in official sources.

Helmet compulsory

We have not confirmed the details in official sources. Always wear a helmet on a motorcycle or moped.

Compulsory equipment in the car

• high-visibility vest – for every person in the car, not just the driver

Note: we have not confirmed the full list of compulsory equipment in official sources – check before you travel at abs.gov.rs.

Compulsory equipment on a bike

No specific requirements in the sources.

Winter tyres and snow chains

From 1 November to 1 April winter equipment is compulsory (notices from the Serbian Road Traffic Safety Agency). On mountain roads the state road operator recommends snow chains.

Note: check the details (under what conditions and which tyres or chains) before you travel at abs.gov.rs.

Phone, drugs and other bans

• Phone: while driving, only with a hands-free kit (without using your hands).
• Alcohol: limit 0.2 ‰; drivers with a probationary licence – zero.
• Parking: follow the rules strictly – badly parked cars, especially in Belgrade, are quickly towed to a police car park.
• Motorways have average speed checks between toll booths, and since December 2025 new speed cameras have been in use across the country.

Vignettes, tolls and low-emission zones

There are no vignettes. Motorways are tolled at toll booths – in dinars or euro (have small change), by card or with a TAG device. Keep your receipt until you leave the motorway. Prices: Putevi Srbije.

Parking in Belgrade is paid by text message – but only from a Serbian number; if you do not pay, the car is usually towed away.

Documents and insurance

• A driving licence from the EU is valid during a temporary stay.
• Vehicle registration certificate – original only. A photocopy, scan or photo on your phone is not enough – without the original you will not be let into the country.
• A Green Card is not required – your third-party motor insurance is enough.
• Not your car (borrowed, leased)? You need written authorisation from the owner in Serbian or English; for a leased company car – two (from your employer and from the leasing company). The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises having it certified by a notary.

What to watch out for

• Frequent police checks; a speeding fine can mean long proceedings before a misdemeanour court.
• Watch out for potholes and stray animals.
• At NIS (and Gazprom) petrol stations cards may not work – have cash in dinars.
• Private roadside assistance and garages can overcharge – ask for a written quote.
• After a collision, document everything: photos of the cars and marks on the road, witnesses’ details.

Sources

• Road Traffic Safety Law (consolidated text, Road Traffic Safety Agency)
• Government of Serbia – alcohol limit and young drivers
• Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – driving licence and insurance
• Putevi Srbije – tolls and traffic updates
• PBUK – Green Card (in Polish)
• Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Odyseusz: Serbia (in Polish)
• Last updated: September 2026.