Prague is detain a quite good road infrastructure, although this doesn’t mean you will not find traffic jams or that problems discovering a parking place won’t occur. Also break-ins or vehicle thefts and break-ins are either excluded. Particularly in the city centre where narrow and twisting streets get jammed all the time.

If you are planning to sightsee in other parts of the Czech Republic, a car maybe your best bet. Otherwise, to put it simply, don’t bother renting a car. The roads in Prague are confusing and hard to navigate. Much of the city is up and down hills, and walking is your better choice. Renting a vehicle can be expensive, the parking is minimal, and the parking fees are outrageous.

Similarly to most of the big European cities, Prague has a pretty intense traffic. Czech drivers are very close to be the worst of Europe.
However should you choose to drive anyway? Here we give you some guidelines.

In the Prague and Czech Republic driving is on the right side. Please note that to drive a car in this country you must be at least 18. Your driving license from another country, as long as valid can be used legally in the Czech Republic. Although in the case the police stops you, you should show your license and in addition your passport too. Prague hotels staff can help you with any doubts regarding driving in Prague.

Remember the following:
• The speed limit in the city is 50 km/h (31 m/h), on a highway outside of town, it is 90 km/h (56 m/h) and 130 km/h (80 m/h) on the freeway. Where this is not so, it is posted.
• The principal streets are marked with a yellow diamond.
• In the case that you are not on a main street, the car on your right side has the right of way.
• Never pass on the right.
• On the freeway, the left lane is for passing only.
• Any pedestrians at the crossings have an complete priority
• The consumption of alcohol is totally forbidden before or during driving (police checks this frequently specially in the night time.)
• All seat belts have to be fastened during the whole trip
• Children under 150 cm are not allowed to travel on the front seat
• Special baby seats are obligatory
• Use of mobile phones is not allowed while driving, except with a hands free set

It is important to learn local traffic rules, for example that it is forbidden to overtake a stationary tram on the inside and that it is forbidden to move a vehicle after any collision until a police inspection has been completed. Traffic lights are often left at flashing amber, which means that they aren’t in service.

When you park, please use the guarded car parks (existing in all large cities and towns). Be certain that the car is locked and don’t leave in the inside any valuable objects that can call attention. In Prague you might make use of the facilities of the suburban car parks named Park and Ride (P+R). If you wish to travel by car to the centre of Prague, you will have a lot of problems to find a place where you can legally stop and when you find one, it will cost you a lot of money.

Prague 1, Prague 2, Prague 3 and Prague 7 districts are separated by 3 parking zones – orange, green and blue
Orange Zone
Maximum parking time – 2 hours. Zone is effective from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Green Zone
Limit of parking time – 6 hours. Zone is effective form 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The two zones are equipped with coin-operated parking meters that can collect the following crown coins CZK 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 or 50. Operating commands are fond of the parking meters.
Blue Zone
Long term parking zone is designed solely for residents of Prague 1 or companies based in this district. Only vehicles detaining a parking card can park there.
If you pay no attention to a „No Parking” sign and you can’t find your car no where, it might mean that your car has been towed away or worse, stolen. To find out the mystery you can Call 158 or 156 and a police officer will let you know where you have to go to pay the fee and get your car back, in case that this didn’t happen he will certainly help you declare the theft.