The best way to get to know Slovenia is, of course, to travel the local roads. To make it easier for you to find the best roads, you can use the route planner. And if for some reason you get lost, the local people will be more than happy to help you find your way. Certain things must be borne in mind while taking roads like for instance the speed limit on built-up settlements is 50 km/h, on regional roads, it’s 90 km/h; on fast roads, it’s 100 km/h and on motorways its 130 km/h.
Some of the Important Traffic Regulations to be Followed are as Follows:
- Seat belt use is compulsory in all seats where they are installed,
- Use of dipped headlights is compulsory at all times of day and night,
- Use of fog lamps is permitted only when visibility is reduced to less than 50 meters.
- Obligatory equipment includes a warning triangle, spare set of lights, first aid kit, and reflective vest,
- Between 15 November and 15 March cars must be fitted with winter tires, otherwise, snow chains must be carried,
- The maximum permitted blood-alcohol level for drivers is05 percent, on the condition that no ability is impaired. The police may, therefore, prohibit you from driving even if the alcohol test shows a lower level. They are especially strict with younger drivers. Alcohol tests for drivers are frequent and the penalties very high, so it is not worth the risk if you have drunk too much.
In case of emergency, roadside assistance is also provided. The Automobile Association of Slovenia – AMZS – provides 24-hour assistance and towing. If a vehicle breaks down, call 1987.
A road tax vignette is a form of tax on vehicles, used in several non-English speaking European countries. The term is of French origin and is now used throughout Central Europe. Vignettes are used in Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Montenegro, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Switzerland, and while other types of road toll are being imposed on drivers in several other European countries. The small, colored toll sticker is to be affixed to a vehicle, often personal of up to 3.5 tons maximum permissible gross weight depending upon whether it is a passenger car or a motorcycle or a travel trailer, passing through motorways and expressways, which indicates that the respective road tax has been paid. Vignettes are often valid for one year, and can usually be obtained at border crossings, gas stations, and labeled points. They are usually constructed in such a way that detaching and reattaching them is impossible without destruction, ensuring that drivers can’t use the same vignette on more than one vehicle. Improperly used, torn or lost vignettes are usually not refunded. Road traffic is often monitored by roadside cameras, and vignettes are verified by state officials, such as border guard and national police. Hefty cash fines are often charged to travelers using public roads without a valid and properly affixed vignette. Additional tools are usually levied for passing through certain motorway tunnels and bridges.
Euro vignette is a road toll for trucks of minimum 12 tons. The system was adopted in 1999 and is now being used in Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and Sweden. In Slovenia, vignettes are required for all vehicles of up to 3.5 tons passing through Slovenian motorways as of July 1st, 2008. Heavier vehicles use existing tollgates. Drivers without a valid vignette are charged with cash fines between Euro 300 and Euro 800.
Travelling By Car
Travelling by car around Slovenia is very straightforward, with the roads clear and well signposted. Some local roads can get a little narrow and winding, but for all that, they are pleasant and interesting. There are plenty of petrol stations. And if one wants to get to the other end of the country in hurry, he or she can take the motorways, for which he or she needs a vignette. Particularly the tourists are advised not to take risks while driving on the motorways without a road toll vignette as the fines are hefty. Vignettes or stickers can be bought at any petrol station.
The Slovenians apparently have decided probably as prevention against harsh criticism which it receives also to offer a monthly vignette, the structure of the new vignette system which will be implemented by the 1 of July 2009 and will appear as follows
- Motorcycles are entitled to avail of a vignette. For weekly it is7.5 Euro, half-yearly it is 25 Euro while for yearly it is 47.50Euro.
- Cars and cars with e.g. camping wagon of Less than 3.500 kg, a vignette is available for a week at 15 Euro, monthly for 30 Euro and yearly for 95 Euro.
Slovenian Vignette can be bought at petrol stations and kiosks close to the border, the meat or road fees in Croatia are paid when you exit the highway, all major credit cards and Euro’s are accepted. All or parts of the highway fees basically can be avoided by traveling on a normal country road, but this can only be recommended in low season or to anybody who has plenty of time for the trip.
Slovenia is located on a relatively large number of toll motorway sections for the crossing must be a valid vignette. Given the fact that Slovenia vignettes sold as of 7 days, 1 month and the year, tourists are often forced to buy a monthly vignette which is due to periods of leave within 14 days of very inefficient. The problem with the unsatisfactory length of highway signs can be solved by replacing sections of county roads paid more on alternative travel options. Annual vignettes are valid from 1.12. Previous year to January 31 year following the date marks the annual toll sticker then pays a total of 14 months.