The big guide to a four-wheeled holiday

Summer travel has its charm. But it also has its rules, responsibilities, and challenges – especially when you're hitting the crowded highways, with a campervan, or an electric car.

Before you set off on your trip, take a look at the rules in each country to help you avoid fines, save yourself some stress, and discover new places with more ease.

We wish you stress-free, fine-free travel – and with a smile on your face!

Slovakia

Mandatory equipment

Reflective vest (for everyone in the vehicle)

Warning triangle

Car first aid kit

Spare wheel or repair kit

Daytime running lights

Year-round mandatory daytime running lights for all motor vehicles

Vehicle documents

Driver's license

Vehicle registration certificate

Green card (recommended)

Proof of payment of the e-vignette (recommended)

Camping

Wild camping (i.e. outside campsites and without the consent of the landowner) is prohibited by law. The exception is sleeping in a car without setting out equipment in parking lots. Fines can range from 50–200 Euros, especially in protected areas and the Tatras.

We recommend using campsites - the official network here or stellplatzy.

Traffic limits

In the village: 50 km/h Outside the village: 90 km/h

Expressway: 100 km/h Highway: 130 km/h

Highway vignette

10-day validity for 10.80 EUR – electronic only.

If you drive on a toll road without a valid vignette, you risk a fine on the spot of up to 200 Euros, or 150–500 Euros in administrative proceedings. The check is carried out automatically by cameras - license plate check - the fine will also be issued retroactively

Can be purchased online here .

Important phone numbers

Unified emergency system: 112

Police: 158

Firefighters: 150

Emergency service: 155

Hungary

Mandatory equipment

Warning triangle

Reflective vest (the vest must be for everyone in the vehicle and placed in the vehicle cabin).

First aid kit

Spare bulbs, tow rope, fire extinguisher (recommended)

Daytime running lights

Daytime running lights are mandatory for all motor vehicles

Vehicle documents

Driver's license

Vehicle registration certificate

Green card (recommended)

Proof of liability insurance (recommended)

Camping

Wild camping is prohibited by law. Sleeping in a vehicle outside of official places can be sanctioned by a fine, usually starting at 100 Euros, it is stricter in national parks and urban areas. We recommend using campsites and certified pitches - Hungary has a very good network.

Traffic limits

In the village: 50 km/h Outside the village: 90 km/h

Expressway: 110 km/hOn the motorway: 130 km/h

Highway vignette

10-day validity for 16.60 Eur - electronic only. Can be purchased online here .

⚠️ If you drive on a toll road without a valid vignette, you risk a fine of up to 18,750 HUF (approx. 1,150 CZK) if paid within 60 days, or up to 74,000 HUF (approx. 4,500 CZK) after the deadline.

Important phone numbers

Unified emergency system: 112

Police: 107

Firefighters: 105

Emergency service: 104

A beacon instead of a warning triangle?

You may have heard the news that the warning triangle could be replaced by a new mandatory piece of equipment – a GPS warning beacon. Yes, the European Union has indeed come up with this innovation.

But don't be fooled: for now, it only applies to Spain, where it will come into effect on January 1, 2026, and only for vehicles registered in that country. In all other countries, including the Czech Republic, the warning triangle remains a mandatory part of the equipment. So don't throw it away just yet - it will serve you well for a while longer.

Austria

Mandatory equipment

Warning triangle

Reflective vest (for everyone in the vehicle, accessible from inside)

First aid kit

Fire extinguisher (recommended only)

Lights

Mandatory all year round for motorcycles. Mandatory for passenger cars only in reduced visibility. DRL (daytime running lights) is permitted, but the rear lights must also be active, otherwise there is a fine.

Car documents

Valid Driver's License

Vehicle registration certificate

Green card (recommended, not always checked)

Proof of purchase of a highway vignette.

Camping

Wild camping outside of official sites is mostly prohibited.

We recommend using parking lots and campsites.

Practical apps: Campercontact, Park4Night.

Traffic limits

In town: 50 km/hOutside town: 100 km/hOn the highway: 130 km/h

Highway vignette

10-day validity for 12.40 EUR. Can be purchased online here . Here you can also purchase a digital section toll for trouble-free passage through toll gates and avoid unnecessary waiting.

⚠️ The electronic vignette has a deferred validity of 18 days when purchased without a "business purpose". This can be circumvented by choosing "immediate activation" with confirmation of the business purpose. The fine for a missing or "inactive" highway vignette on the spot is 120 Euros, in administrative proceedings up to 3,000 Euros.

Important phone numbers

Unified emergency system: 112

Police: 133

Firefighters: 122

Emergency service: 144

Brenner? Better with a prediction than blindly

The Lueg Bridge on the Brenner Pass is being repaired – and it won't be over anytime soon. The five-year construction will bring narrowed lanes, traffic jams and no exits off the motorway. The newspapers wrote about traffic hell. And no wonder, the lanes change dynamically at predetermined times.

Austrian part (ASFiNAG): At this link you can find out what it looks like right now - delays at the Lueg bridge, detours, current traffic status.

Italian part ( autobrennero.it ): On autobrennero.it you can view not only the closures, but also the traffic calendar - traffic forecast separately for the direction south and back to Austria.

Italy

Mandatory equipment

Warning triangle. Reflective vest (for each passenger). First aid kit is not mandatory, but recommended. Spare or repair kit.

Daytime running lights

Mandatory year-round outside the village. In the village, daytime running lights are not mandatory, but recommended.

Documents

Valid driver's license

Vehicle registration certificate

Green card (recommended)

Proof of insurance (assistance).

Entry to ZTL: Report license plate number to hotel in advance.

Camping

Wild camping is prohibited. Only overnight stays in the car without unpacking the equipment are tolerated. The vehicle must be on wheels only and must not "overhang" (no awnings, chairs, tables). It is also not allowed to dump waste.

Fines for violations of 100-500 Euros mainly in the areas of Sardinia, Tuscany and national parks.

We recommend using stellplatz (area di sosta) or official campsites, Italy has a relatively dense network.

Practical apps: Park4Night, Campercontact, Agricamper

Traffic limits

In town: 50 km/hOutside town: 90 km/hExpressway: 110 km/hMotorway: 130 km/h (110 km/h in rain or poor visibility)

 

Highway vignette

Italian motorways are charged with tolls based on kilometers traveled. Payment is made at the toll gate (by card, cash, Telepass). Price: approx. 9–10 Eur/100 km (depending on the section).

All information regarding highway traffic and toll calculators can be found here.

⚠️ Fines for failure to pay the toll: 87–345 Euros. There is also a large penalty for a lost ticket (the highest possible toll is calculated).

ZTL zones (Zona Traffico Limitato)

Entry into the historic centers of many cities is prohibited without a permit (yellow signs with the words ZTL). The zones are monitored by cameras, and fines are hefty, ranging from 80–300 Euros.

Tires

From May 16th to October 15th, driving on winter tires is not allowed. Fine up to 1,695 Euros and technical license suspension.

Important phone numbers

European number: 112

Ambulance: 118

Police: 113

Firefighters: 115

Traffic police: 1518

Germany

Mandatory equipment

Warning triangle

First aid kit

Reflective vest (recommended for every passenger)

Spare wheel or repair kit recommended

Lights

For motorcycles, daytime running lights are mandatory year-round. For passenger cars, daytime running lights are mandatory in reduced visibility.

Car documents

Valid driver's license

Vehicle registration certificate

Green card (recommended)

Camping

Wild camping is generally prohibited, but staying overnight in a parking lot for the purpose of renewing your driving license is tolerated. It isprohibited in nature reserves, forests and on private land without permission . For trips with a motorhome or caravan, we recommend using parking lots, campsites

Practical apps: Park4Night, Campercontact, StayFree

Highway vignette

German motorways are free for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. The exception is the passage through the Herren and Warnow tunnels in northern Germany. Herren: 2.10 EurWarnow: 4.70 EurYou can pay the toll at toll stations by card or in cash.

Ecological zones

In most large German cities, it is mandatory to mark your car with an environmental badge.

You can find everything you need, including a list of cities, for example here .

Price: approx. 5–15 Euros

Where to buy: online e.g. here and at some MOTs.

⚠️ Fine for entering without a plaque: 80 Euros

Important phone numbers

European SOS number: 112

Police: 110

Roadside assistance: ADAC 22 22 22 from the German network, or +49 89 22 22 22

Poland

Mandatory equipment

Warning triangle

Reflective vest (recommended for everyone, mandatory outside the village when getting out of the vehicle)

First aid kit (recommended)

Fire extinguisher – mandatory

Spare wheel or repair kit.

Daytime running lights

Daytime running lights are mandatory for all motor vehicles all year round.

Vehicle documents

Valid driver's license

Vehicle registration certificate

Green card (recommended)

Valid MOT – must not have expired during the trip.

Camping

Wild camping is officially prohibited, but tolerated in less frequented areas (outside national parks and private lands without permission). Since 2021, the "Zanocuj w lesie" program has been operating - legal overnight stays in Polish state forests in selected locations.

More info here

Traffic limits

In the village: 50 km/h Outside the village: 90 km/h Roads for motor vehicles: 100 km/h - 120 km/h

On the highway: 140 km/h

Highway vignette

In Poland, tolls are charged based on the distance traveled on specific sections of motorways. Information on tolls and a toll calculator can be found here

Main toll motorways:A1 - Rusocin – Nowa Wieś - approx. PLN 30 (approx. CZK 170)A2 - Świecko – Konin - approx. PLN 70 (approx. CZK 400)A4 - Katowice – Krakow (Balice) - approx. PLN 30 (approx. CZK 170)

Highway sections vary by operator, conditions and payment systems are not unified - we recommend checking the specific route before traveling. Tolls can be paid in cash, by card, or electronically.

More here

⚠️ Driving without paying the toll can be fined up to PLN 500 (approx. CZK 2,900), losing the ticket carries the same penalty as for the entire route.

Important phone numbers

EU emergency number: 112

Police: 997

Firefighters: 998

Ambulance: 999

PZM roadside assistance: pzm.pl

Slovenia

Mandatory equipment

Warning triangle

Reflective vest (mandatory for every passenger)

First aid kit

Replacement bulbs and fuses

Spare wheel or repair kit

Daytime running lights

Mandatory all year round

Vehicle documents

Valid driver's license

Vehicle registration certificate

Green card (recommended)

Proof of purchase of an e-vignette (electronically linked to the license plate)

Camping

Wild camping is prohibited. Sleeping in a car park is tolerated in some places (not legally regulated). Fines usually range from 50-200 Euros (especially near the coast, lakes or protected areas). We recommend using stellplatzy, Camper Stop Slovenia and campsites.

Practical apps: Park4Night, Campercontact, StayFree

Traffic limits

Village: 50 km/h Outside the village: 90 km/h Expressway: 110 km/h Motorway: 130 km/h

 

Highway vignette

A highway vignette is mandatory for motorways and expressways.

The price of a 7-day stamp is 16 Euros, a 30-day stamp costs 32 Euros. You can buy it here .

Vehicles over 1.3m in height above the front axle (e.g. SUVs, vans, caravans) may fall into category 2B – and may be subject to higher rates!

⚠️Fines for not having a vignette range from 150-800 Euros. Checks are automatic using cameras.

Important phone numbers

European number: 112

Police: 113

Ambulance: 112

Firefighters: 112Road

AMZS Assist : 1987

Croatia

Mandatory equipment

Warning triangle (2 pieces when towing a trailer)

Reflective vest (for everyone, must be used when going out of town)

First aid kit

Replacement bulbs

Spare or repair kit

Tow rope.

Daytime running lights

During the summer, daytime running lights are not mandatory and are only required in poor visibility.

Car documents

Valid driver's license

Vehicle registration certificate

Green card (recommended, not mandatory, but some insurance companies may require it).

Camping

Wild camping is prohibited by law. The only exception is camping on private land with the owner's consent. Fines range from 100–500 Euros, stricter controls are carried out in national parks and coastal areas. We recommend using certified campsites and parking lots.

Practical apps: Park4Night, Campercontact, Avtokampi.hr

Traffic limits

Village: 50 km/hOutside the village: 90 km/hMotorway: 110 km/hMotorway: 130 km/h

Highway vignette

Tolls are charged based on the kilometers traveled. Payment at toll gates in cash or by credit card.

Price approx. 7-10 Eur/100 km for passenger cars.

Toll calculation here

⚠️ Fines for non-payment of tolls depend on the length of the unpaid section and range from 100-300 Euros. The maximum tariff for the given motorway is charged for losing a ticket.

Important phone numbers

European number: 112

Police: 192

Firefighters: 193

Ambulance: 194

Roadside assistance HAK : +385 1 1987

Freedom on four wheels? A caravan to experience the outdoors

If you're considering buying a caravan or motorhome, now is the time. You can finance your "home" through our Pay Money and Pay Little Money programs, for example.

When traveling in a caravan or motorhome, there are a few things to keep in mind. You need to check the technical condition of the vehicle, plan your route, and make sure you have enough water and food. It is also important to check the camping regulations in the country and to have the necessary documents and insurance with you.

Preparation and planning:

• Technical condition of the vehicle:

  Check the condition of the tires, brakes, lighting and all important vehicle systems.

• Driver's license:

  Make sure you have a valid driving license and that you meet the requirements for driving a motorhome or caravan (for heavier vehicles, an extension of your driving license may be required).

• Route and camping:

  Plan your route with camping and rest areas in mind. Find out the camping regulations in each country and location.

• Stocks:

  Don't forget to have enough drinking water, food, and hygiene supplies. Also consider having enough gas for cooking.

• Documents and insurance:

  Don't forget your valid ID card, driver's license, vehicle registration certificate, green card and travel insurance.

• Motorhome insurance:

  Find out what insurance you have and whether it covers all necessary situations, including possible damage to the vehicle and liability for damage caused to third parties.

During the trip:

• Vehicle security:

  Before driving, check that all cabinets and windows are closed and locked to prevent them from being opened while driving.

• Road safety:

  Follow traffic regulations, be considerate of other road users and ensure the safety of the crew and the vehicle.

• Keep it clean:

  Dispose of waste responsibly and keep your environment clean.

• Enjoy the journey:

  Traveling by caravan or motorhome is about freedom and exploring new places. Enjoy every moment on the road.

Electrotrip without nerves

For those of you who need to recharge your batteries along the way - for yourself and your four-wheeled partner - we have a practical tip.

On the PlugShare website you will find not only an overview of charging stations across Europe, but also a handy route planner. This will help you find the nearest free charger and conveniently plan your trip without unnecessary stress.

You can find a practical helper at: https://www.plugshare.com/cs

FlexiDrive Invest as wishes you a safe journey and a holiday without surprises.