Driving in Serbia: Essential Tips Every Tourist Should Know

Does Serbia drive on the left? you may wonder.

The answer is no. In Serbia, people drive on the right side of the road, like in most European countries.

The driver’s seat is on the left side of the vehicle.

This is important to keep in mind, especially if you come from a country where driving is on the left side of the road, such as UK, Australia and Cyprus.

Renting a car in Serbia offers significant advantages, such as:

• It provides the freedom to explore the whole country with the surrounding areas of major cities at your own pace.
• A car enables access to remote and scenic spots that are less reachable by public transport.
• It gives you comfort and convenience, especially for families or groups.
• It allows for spontaneous travel plans and flexibility.

However, keep in mind that there are some cons of car hire in Serbia:

• Traffic in the rush hours in large cities, such as the capital, is heavy.
• The driving behavior is aggressive and chaotic if you are not familiar with.
• Parking can be difficult to find and may require additional fees.
• Navigation might be confusing due to limited signage.
• The travel cost, including rental price, insurance and fuel, is higher than with public transportation. 

But remember that Abbycar is one of the most affordable car rentals in Serbia and offers many deals and discounts to find the best car according to your budget.

Other transportation options you have:

• Public transportation: The public transportation consists of a wide bus network and is cost-effective, covering the main known areas, but it has no flexibility regarding routes and schedules, is crowded and not convenient for remote and less well-known districts.
• Taxis and rideshare services: Taxis and rideshares services are easily available and convenient, but they are not the most cost-effective mode of transport, especially if you do many routes and long distances per day. They are a good and inexpensive solution for 1-2 short routes. Plus, it is difficult to find a taxi in rush hours in Belgrade.
• Trains: Trains are not very modern and their speed is slow, connecting major cities, such as Belgrade to Novi Sad. If you want to visit the major cities and have plenty of time, trains offer you scenic views. But they are time-consuming and don’t give you the opportunity to explore the whole country.

Serbia offers some breathtaking scenic drives, perfect for travelers who want to explore the country at their own pace by car. We recommend the following routes:

• Belgrade to Tara National Park: You drive through lush forests, impressive gorges, and traditional villages. Ideal for nature lovers and photographers, this route lasts about 4 hours (190 km).
• Đerdap National Park ((Iron Gates)): Following the Danube River along the Serbian-Romanian border, you will enjoy river cliffs, archaeological sites like Lepenski Vir, and the stunning Golubac Fortress. It lasts about 3 hours (140 km).
• Uvac Canyon Route: Connecting Novi Pazar to Nova Varoš, this remote local road gives you the opportunity to drive through dramatic cliffs and wild nature landscapes. It lasts about 2 hours (120 km).
• Ibar Highway: Connecting Belgrade to Novi Pazar, this route drives you through the “Valley of the Kings,” passing by medieval monasteries, hills with lush greenery, and traditional Serbian towns. It lasts about 5 hours (280 km).
• Fruška Gora Wine Route: Near Novi Sad, this drive offers rolling hills, vineyards, monasteries, and excellent wine-tasting opportunities in charming villages. It lasts about 2 hours (100 km), without the stops for wine tasting.

Driving in Belgrade, Serbia as well as in major highways is generally safe, as the roads are modern and well maintained.

But how is the road condition in rural areas of Serbia? The road conditions outside the major cities are variable. Some roads are well-maintained, but many rural and mountainous roads have poor conditions or have large potholes. Plus, driving at night is dangerous due to limited lighting and inadequate road signs.

Another safety issue are local drivers, many of whom are aggressive and don’t adhere the speed limits and the legal requirements for safe driving.

Under these circumstances, safety tips when driving and renting a car in Serbia include:

• Follow the speed limits.
• Be prepared for and don’t interact with aggressive drivers.
• Avoid driving during the night.
• Drive cautiously.
• Avoid drinking alcohol before driving.
• Use GPS and have also and offline map in case your phone signal is poor.
• Be cautious of wildlife in countryside areas.
• In winter, snow chains or winter tires are required in mountainous regions.

What are the traffic regulations in Serbia? The most important regulations to remember when driving in Serbia are:

• Seat belts: The use of seat belts is mandatory for all passengers.
• Child seat: Children under 12 years old must use appropriate child seats.
• Speed limits: Speed limits are 50 km/h in urban areas, 80 km/h on rural roads and 130 km/h on highways.
• Headlights: They must be on even during the day.
• Mobile phone: It is permitted while driving only with hands-free device.
• Winter tires: They are mandatory from November to April to mountainous areas.

What is the drinking and driving law in Serbia? Driving after having drunk alcohol is strictly prohibited. The limit is 0,02%, so practically in Serbia there is zero-tolerance in alcohol consumption before driving.

Keep in mind that police checkpoints are often, so you should always carry with you the required documents and comply with the abovementioned rules to avoid strict fines.

In most cities in Serbia, there is a parking system with zones (red, yellow, green, blue), with the color indicating how long you can park your car there (for 1-4 hours). To park there, you can pay for the ticket by SMS or via an app.

Is it easy to find parking in Belgrade? No, in the historic center of Belgrade is difficult to find free parking, so it is better (and safer) to leave your car in the hotel or park in a private parking.

​Yes, Serbia has an extensive toll road system covering major motorways across the country. The highways that have tolls are: 

• A1: It connects Horgoš (Hungary border) to Preševo (North Macedonia border).
• A2: It connects Belgrade to Montenegro.
• A3: It connects Belgrade to Sid (Croatia border)
• A4: It connects Nis to Dimitrovgrad (Bulgaria border).

You can pay for the tolls via credit/ debit card, cash and ETC (electronic toll collection), which you can take from the car rental station.

The best time of the year to drive through Serbia is autumn and spring. At this time, the temperatures are mild, colors in the natural landscapes are stunning and you can make scenic drives. Especially in autumn, you can enjoy amazing wine tours.

Winter is not recommended, as the temperatures are low and you may need snow chains for many routes. On the other hand, during summer the temperatures are hot, and only if you are a lover of mountain escapes, you can enjoy the best of Serbia.

Renting a car in Serbia is a simple procedure:

1. Choose from Abbycar’s user friendly platform or in person in one of our rental locations the vehicle type that meets your criteria according to your needs and budget.
2. Provide a valid driving license, passport or ID and credit card.
3. A deposit amount will be blocked in your credit card, but not charged. This deposit will be charged only in case of damage.
4. You take the car after inspecting its situation and take photos to prove the existence of any prior damage. You should also check the mileage and gas mileage.
5. You return the car at the drop-off point and pay.

What is required to rent a car in Serbia:

• Driving license (International Driving Permit for foreign drivers)
• Passport or ID
• Credit card under your name (the main driver’s name).

Can you drive in Serbia with a US license or a license of other country? The answer is no for non-EU residents who need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Serbia. EU residents can drive in Serbia with their national driving license. 

However, to rent a car in Serbia, all foreign drivers (EU and non-EU residents) must have an IDP.

The minimum age for car rental in Serbia is 23 years, but you can be as young as 19 years old if you pay an additional young driver fee. The maximum age is 70 years, but you can be as old as 75 years old if you pay an additional senior driver fee.

The most popular car rental location in Serbia is Belgrade. From there, you can discover the whole capital city of Serbia and then make amazing road trips to nearby or remote attractions.

Start now planning your journey to this off-the-beaten path destination and rent a car in Serbia with Abbycar to discover all its beautiful spots on a budget!