Driving is the perfect way of exploring the Czech countryside, even though the public transportation system is very inexpensive and safe. Consult an up to date road map (a basic version is available from our office; more detailed versions are available from all major bookstores in Ireland and throughout the Czech Republic.)
A FEW BASIC FACTS
You must be over 18 to drive a car in the Czech Republic and must carry your driving licence at all times, along with a vehicle registration card, and an ownership certificate or rental agreement.
In the city, the speed limit is 50km/h, while outside urban areas, the speed limit is 90km/h and for highways 130km/h. Seatbelts are compulsory in the front and back seats.
The Czech Republic has a zero-tolerance policy on alcohol consumption, so even a single beer before driving will potentially get you in trouble.
MOTORWAY TOLLS
There are no toll booths in the Czech Republic; instead, drivers are required to purchase a special motorway sticker before using the country's network of high-speed roads.
These two-part stickers should be filled out with the car's plate number. The shield-shaped part must be affixed on the inside lower right corner of the front windscreen (the corner away from the driver), while the rectangular part must be retained as a proof of purchase and produced upon request by the police.
The stickers can be purchased at petrol stations and some post offices.
In 2009 the motorway stickers for regular passenger cars (weighing up to 3,500 kg) are available in the following categories:
- 7 days from date of purchase (Kc 220)
- 1 calendar month (Kc 330)
- 1 calendar year (Kc 1000 for a passenger car up to 3.5 tons of weight, Kc 8,000 for SUVs/trucks/vans up to 12 tons)
All cars rented from Czech car rental companies should come with the annual sticker already affixed.
For more detailed information visit http://www.motorway.cz/
Design of strickers for 2009
TRAFFIC REGULATIONS
The traffic regulations for driving in the Czech Republic are essentially the same as in the rest of the continental EU.
Headlights must be switched on 24/7 all year round.
CAR RENTAL COMPANIES
A Rent Car
Airport office, tel. 220 11 43 70/224 28 10 53, fax 220 56 19 76, open 07:00 - 19:00.
Praha 1, V celnici 8 (Millennium Plaza)
Tel: 224 21 15 87
Fax: 224 21 20 32
07:00-19:00
Alimex ČR
Airport office, Parking C, tel. 220 11 48 60 , open 08:00 - 22:00.
Praha 6, Na Petynce 22
Tel: 233 35 00 01
Fax: 233 35 92 42
08:00-18:00
except:
Sat: 08:00-17:00
Sun: 08:00-17:00
Avis
Airport office, tel. 235 36 24 20 , open 08:00 - 22:00, Sat 08:00 - 20:00.
Praha 1, Klimentská 46
Tel: 221 85 12 25
Fax: 221 85 12 29
Website
08:00-18:00
except:
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed
Budget
Airport office, tel. 220 11 32 53 , tel./fax 220 56 04 43 , open 07:00 - 22:00; Reservation centre, tel. 235 32 57 13 , fax 235 325 711.
Praha 1, nám. Curierových 5 (Hotel Intercontinental)
Tel: 224 88 99 95
Fax: 222 31 95 95
Website
08:00-20:00
Chauffeur CZ
Private car & driver. Open 24hrs.
Praha 6, Kladenská 36
Tel: 602 36 81 82
Fax: 235 35 91 15
Czechocar CS
Also at F-3, Praha 1, Na pøíkopì 23 (Rathova pasáž), tel. 224 22 81 41 , open 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun; Airport office, tel./fax 220 11 34 54 , open 07:00 - 21:00.
Praha 4, 5. kvìtna 65 (Congress Centre)
Tel: 261 22 20 79
Fax: 261 17 24 32
Website
08:00-18:00
except:
Sat: 08:30-16:00
Sun: 08:30-14:00
Dvorak Rent a Car
Limousines and chauffeurs also available. Also at Hilton, Praha 8, Pobøežní 8, tel. 224 84 23 13 , open 08:00 - 20:00; Airport office, tel. 220 11 36 76 , open 08:00 - 21:00.
Praha 1, Revoluèní 25
Tel: 224 82 62 60
Fax: 224 82 62 61
Website
08:00-17:00
except:
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed
Europcar
Airport office, tel. 35 36 45 31, fax 35 36 53 18, open 08:00 - 22:00.
Praha 1, Paøížská 28
Tel: 224 81 12 90
Fax: 224 81 00 39
Website
08:00-20:00
Hertz
Also at Praha 6, Evropská 15 (Hotel Diplomat), tel. 224 39 41 74 , fax 224 39 41 55, open 08:00 - 16:00; Airport office, tel. 233 32 67 14 , fax 220 56 34 72, open 08:00 - 22:00.
Praha 2, Karlovo nám. 28
Tel: 222 23 10 10
Fax: 222 23 10 15
Website
08:00-20:00
JS Car
Not much Englsih spoken, but service and price are excellent. Open 24hrs.
Praha 4, Trnavská 2681/2
Tel: 602 21 64 15
Fax: 241 72 40 32
National Car Rental
Airport office, tel. 220 11 45 54 , fax 235 36 05 59, open 08:00 - 22:00. Closed Sat, Sun.
Praha 2, Masarykovo nábø. 4
Tel: 224 92 37 19
Fax: 224 91 30 51
Website
08:00-20:00
RentPoint
Also at Praha 5, Bucharova 16 (Auto Palace Butovice), tel. 251 02 51 33 , fax 251 62 69 73, open 08:00 - 16:30.
Praha 4, Na Chodovci 2457/1 (Auto Palace Sporilov)
Tel: 267 28 68 22-3
Fax: 267 28 68 19
Website
07:00-19:00
Sixt
Airport office, tel. 220 11 53 46 , fax 220 11 53 45, open 08:00 - 22:00. Sat, Sun 08:00 - 20:00.
Praha 8, Pobrežní 1 (Hilton Hotel)
Tel: 224 84 24 07
Fax: 221 87 53 13
Website
08:00-20:00
West Car
Praha 6, Veleslavínská 17
Tel: 602 20 10 20
Fax: 235 36 65 52
Website
08:00-17:00
except:
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed
