Thanks to its location in the very heart of Europe, the Czech Republic has become a transit country. Because of this, special attention is being paid to improving the country’s transportation infrastructure, for which the Czech Republic has been receiving substantial financial assistance from EU funds.
The Czech Republic has a very dense transportation infrastructure and the country has the densest rail network in the EU. Besides railways, the country has an extensive network of road and municipal transportation systems, including airlines, which are mostly used for international travel.
Road Transportation
The motorway and expressway infrastructure in the Czech Republic is still being built. The ultimate objective is to effectively cover the entire country with a modern motorway system.
The maximum speed limit on a motorway is 130 km/h, on regular roads 90 km/h outside of town and 50 km/h in town. The use of the motorway and expressway infrastructure in the Czech Republic is subject to tolls based on a permit system. The rates vary based on the length of the validity period of the toll permit. The toll permits, which are in the form of a windscreen sticker, can be purchased at post offices, petrol stations, border crossings and at other locations that provide services to road users. The locations where such permits are available are marked with a special logo and with purchase of the permit you will receive a brochure with basic information on the working of the system.
The Czech Republic has a standard bus system, which is frequently used by the local population. The country has a number of private bus line operators and you will be able to find convenient and direct connections between cities and connections servicing less populated, more remote areas. The country has a well-developed system of municipal public transportation services, which are available in all larger cities.
Rail Transportation
The Czech rail network covers most of the country. Czech Railways introduced fare policies which provide lower prices to certain groups of people, such as families and students. The system offers a variety of products, one of which is the rail pass, which significantly cuts the cost of fares. The railways are a popular mode of transportation in the Czech Republic. The ‘Intercity’ and ‘Eurocity’ trains, which connect the Czech Republic to the neighbouring countries, are the fastest. Czech Railways has recently introduced new modern trains (Pendolino type) on routes between Prague and Ostrava, Vienna and Bratislava.
Route Planner and Map Search www.cd.cz
Czech Railways www.csa.cz
Air Transportation
Direct and connecting flights to the Czech Republic are serviced from Prague’s Ruzyne International Airport, which is located approximately 20 km northwest of Prague. Czech Airlines (CSA) offers domestic service between Prague, Ostrava, Brno and Karlovy Vary. Small planes for domestic flights and sightseeing flights can be leased from specialized providers.
Vehicle Licensing
Vehicles with a registration that includes an EC certificate (i.e. globally licensed vehicles) do not have to undergo any further inspections. Used cars that are older than 8 years and not globally licensed under European regulations cannot be brought into the Czech Republic.
You will have to register your car with the local municipal authority, which will also provide you with additional information on what to do. Registration fees related to the relocation of registered vehicles can vary. These fees are often waived, for example, for workers from one EU country living in another EU country or for students. The fees also do not apply if the owner uses the vehicle in another EU country for only every 6 out of 12 months. These rules apply to both personal vehicles and vehicles used for business. However, they do not apply to buses and lorries carrying goods for trade.
Driving-Licence
An EU citizen who is the holder of a European Community driving-licence and who is a resident of the Czech Republic may (but is not required to) apply for a Czech driving-licence as a replacement for their EC driving-licence by contacting the local municipal authorities. This can also be done if the person’s driving-licence got lost, stolen or damaged. A person who applies for a replacement driving-licence may ask the issuing authority to store the original driving-licence for them until the following replacement.
Point System
The point system used for the rating of drivers is one of the many tools used to reduce the number and the severity of traffic accidents in the Czech Republic. Data on drivers and their accumulated points are maintained in special registry databases kept by municipal authorities of municipalities with extended powers. The drivers’ registry is part of the public administration information system, in accordance with a special act. Once the driver accumulates the maximum allowable number of violation points (12), his or her driving-licence is suspended for one year. The person also has to retake a driving test before the return of their licence. The total number of accumulated points is reduced each year by four points for each year in which there are no additional violations.
Drivers who commit a traffic violation, but who are not permanent residents of the Czech Republic or who are not living in the country on a temporary basis on a long-term visa issued for a period longer than one year, are tracked by the registry of drivers maintained by the municipality with extended powers that has jurisdiction over the location in which the violation occurred.
While operating a motor vehicle, the driver cannot manually handle a phone or another type of calling or recording device.
Keeping headlights on at all times of the day and year round is required under the law in the Czech Republic.
With the exception of tram drivers, all drivers are required under the law to give the right-of-way to pedestrians, who are on a pedestrian crossing or who are apparently about to use the pedestrian crossing, and allow them to cross the road in a safe and undisturbed manner.
Drivers must therefore approach a pedestrian crossing at a safe speed, which would allow them to stop their vehicle before reaching the pedestrian crossing and, if necessary, the driver must stop for any pedestrians using the pedestrian crossing:
Examples of violation penalties: violation of the lights-on-at-all-times rule = 1 point; driving under the influence = 3-7 points; driving without a licence = 7 points.