How well do you know the rules behind the wheel? It’s not enough to know that there’s a 50 in the village and that you don’t run red lights. The rules of the road are governed by the Road Traffic Act, which sets out exactly who is a road user, what the driver’s obligations are, where you can stop, what the speed limit is and when you must give way. All it takes is a small mistake – parking wrong, holding your phone or failing to give way – and you could face a fine, points and a driving ban.
Quick overview:
The Road Traffic Act regulates the rights and obligations of road users, road traffic rules, traffic management, driving licences and police powers.
It is the basic traffic law on which all traffic regulations are based. If someone searches for road traffic rules online, it is the current version of this law.
The law applies to all road users – not just car drivers, but also cyclists, pedestrians, animal riders or people in automated vehicles.
The law precisely defines the basic terms:
This means that the rules of the road apply not only to cars but also to cyclists or horse riders.
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The basic obligations of a driver are mainly derived from Section 4 and Section 5 of the Road Traffic Act. This is not just a matter of technical compliance with signs, but a general duty to behave in a considerate and disciplined manner so that no one’s actions endanger the life, health or property of other road users.
The driver must obey traffic signs, traffic signals and instructions from the police and other authorised persons.
The law expressly requires him to devote his full attention to driving and to monitoring the traffic situation.
He must always adapt his speed and driving style to the specific circumstances – road conditions, weather, traffic density and his own ability.
In addition, he or she should exerciseextra caution, especially towards children, persons with reduced mobility and other vulnerable road users
Prohibitions are equally important. The driver must not consume alcohol or other addictive substances while driving and must not drive immediately after consuming them if he or she may still be under their influence.
The law also specifically prohibits holding a telephone or other talking or recording device while driving. Even a brief “wink” at the display may therefore constitute a traffic offence.
Of course, you must wear a seat belt if the seat is equipped with one, and ensure that children are safely transported in a child seat appropriate to their weight and height.
The driver is primarilyresponsible for the safety of the occupants – and is also liable for the consequences in the event of a breach.
Have you received a notice to explain, a notice of initiation of proceedings or a decision on an offence? In traffic offences, it is often the details that make the difference – the wording of a statement, a timely objection or a properly filed appeal. We will prepare a qualified statement to the authorities, police or administrative body. We will make sure that your arguments have legal weight and that all legal rights and deadlines are met.
Most drivers answer without thinking. But this is where problems often arise. The law not only sets maximum speeds, but also a general obligation to adjust your speed to the circumstances. A driver may only drive so fast that he is able to stop within the distance he can see. If there is fog, heavy rain or an impassable bend, it is not enough to drive “below the limit” – you must drive so that you can handle the situation safely.
The basic maximum speeds are as follows:
But these are not the only values you should keep in mind.
Drivers often forget about residential zones. There, the maximum speed is only 20 km/h. And it’s not just a “formal” limit – in a residential zone, children can play directly on the road and pedestrians are allowed to use the full width of the road. Driving at 30 here means not only breaking the law, but also a real danger to others.
Similarly, in a cycling zone, you are allowed to go no more than 30 km/h. Here, the driver must be extra considerate of cyclists, who can use the full width of the road.
In front of a level crossing at a distance of 50 m, the driver must drive at a maximum of 30 km/h and take extra care, but if the intermittent white light is on, then he can drive at 50 km/h.
Overlooking these lesser-known limits is one of the most common offences. So it’s not enough to know the general 50 and 90 speed limits – it’s important to be aware of the road signs and the nature of where you are.
Overtaking is one of the riskiest manoeuvres on the road. The basic rule is simple: overtake on the left. But just “swerving into oncoming traffic” doesn’t mean it’s safe or legal.
The law specifically prohibits overtaking , for example, at and immediately before a pedestrian crossing, at and near a level crossing or at an intersection (with certain exceptions). The meaning is obvious – these are places where unpredictable situations can arise at any time and where visibility is often limited.
Overtaking cyclists is a specific chapter. The driver of a motor vehicle must maintain a safe lateral distance of at least 1.5 metres. Only in places where the maximum speed limit is up to 30 km/h is a distance of at least 1 metre sufficient. This is not a recommendation but a legal obligation.
In practice, this means that if you do not have enough space, you should not overtake a cyclist at all. Trying to “squeeze by” at the cost of a close pass can lead not only to a fine, but above all to a serious accident. In these situations, it is very difficult to justify in hindsight that the distance was actually sufficient.
We represented a client who was facing misdemeanor charges specifically for failing to maintain a safe lateral distance when passing a cyclist. The driver believed he had left enough room, but the cyclist assessed the situation as dangerous and called the police. Inches were then the deciding factor in the proceedings – without CCTV footage or witnesses, it is very difficult for the driver to prove that he actually kept the legal distance. So risky overtaking almost never pays off legally.
Tip: Many addictive substances are permitted by law. However, their use is prohibited in many situations. For example, when you plan to get behind the wheel or go to work. See what you can expect for a DUI.
Trams are a bit of a special category in road traffic. They move on rails, they can’t swerve and they have a special status in many situations. That’s why the law also regulates how drivers driving alongside them should behave.
If a driver is not willing or able to pass alongside a tram on the right – for example, because the roadway is narrow or parked cars prevent him from doing so – he must not “stick” to the tram. He must follow it at a distance that allows other drivers to pass safely. In other words: If you are already following the tram, you must not block those who might pass.
Another common mistake is to underestimate the tram’s priority. When making certain manoeuvres, such as turning or changing direction, the tram has the right of way. Car drivers often do not realise this – especially in cities where the tracks cross with regular traffic. This often results in unnecessary collisions or offences for failing to give way.
For trams, therefore, a simple rule applies: Count on the fact that they can’t swerve, and give them extra space instead. Otherwise, the subsequent defence can be very difficult, especially if there is a collision.
Parking is one of the most common offences ever – and one of the ones that drivers most underestimate. Many rely on reasonable judgement or the fact that “they’re not in anyone’s way here”. However, the Highway Code is very specific about stopping and standing.
You must not stop or stand , for example, at a pedestrian crossing and less than 5 metres in front of it, at a junction and 5 metres in front of its boundary, on a bridge, in a tunnel or in a dedicated lane. The purpose of these prohibitions is not to punish drivers, but to ensure visibility, pedestrian safety and road clearance.
An important rule that is often forgotten concerns the width of the passage. When stationary, at least one lane at least 3 metres wide must remain free for each direction of travel. If a vehicle narrows this space, it may be an offence – even if it is standing “just off the edge”.
It is these provisions that play a crucial role in cases dealt with as parking on the pavement or blocking the passage of other vehicles, refuse collection or emergency services. The driver often argues that everyone can fit. However, from the point of view of the law, it is the specific distance and the preservation of a safe space that is decisive, not a subjective impression.
Tip: Take a look at the most common offences on Czech roads – from running a red light, to failing to stop at a stop sign, speeding, and even being banned. Do you know what the penalties are?
The rules of the road are laid down by the Road Traffic Act and apply to all road users – not only car drivers, but also cyclists and animal riders. The driver is obliged to behave considerately, to give full attention to driving, to respect traffic signs and to adapt his speed to the circumstances, the basic limits being 50 km/h in the village, 90 km/h outside the village and 130 km/h on the motorway, with stricter rules for example in residential or cycling zones. The law also strictly regulates overtaking – including a mandatory distance of 1.5 metres from the cyclist (at least 1 metre in zone 30) – as well as special situations with trams. It also deals in great detail with parking, where it is forbidden to stand, for example, in a crosswalk, at an intersection, on a bridge, or where a passageway of at least 3 metres wide is not left. Even seemingly minor breaches of these rules can lead to fines, points or driving bans.
50 km/h
1.5 m, in zone 30 at least 1 m
No, the law forbids it.
Anyone who drives a motor or non-motor vehicle or tram, or rides an animal.
The law explicitly prohibits stopping and standing at a pedestrian crossing and at a distance of less than 5 metres in front of it. Beyond the crosswalk, the law does not specify a specific 5 metre prohibition, but you must always maintain the safety and flow of traffic and must not endanger pedestrians or restrict the vision of other drivers.
The law distinguishes between standing (a vehicle is brought to a standstill beyond the point of stopping, typically “parking”) and stopping (a short interruption of driving, for example to pick up or drop off people).
When stationary, at least one lane at least 3 metres wide in each direction of travel must remain clear. If a vehicle narrows this space, it may be an offence.
When stopping, the requirement is more lenient – at least one lane at least 3 metres wide must remain free for both directions of travel.
If the vehicle narrows this space, it may be an offence – even if you feel that “cars will still get through”. It is the legal width that is decisive, not subjective impression.
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Ondřej is the attorney who came up with the idea of providing legal services online. He's been earning his living through legal services for more than 10 years. He especially likes to help clients who may have given up hope in solving their legal issues at work, for example with real estate transfers or copyright licenses.
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