Slovenia is becoming an increasingly popular holiday destination. And no wonder. This country has many beautiful places to offer. From mountain ranges with caves, forests and lakes to magical beaches on the Adriatic Sea. The best opportunity to see this diverse nature is a trip around the area by car. How to prepare for such a trip? You will find out in the article below.
Toll roads and motorways in Slovenia
Expressways and highways are the most convenient for traveling by car. Slovenia has a network of such roads. They are well-groomed and allow you to quickly move around the country. However, as in many countries, the highways and expressways in Slovenia are not free even for cars and motorcycles. If you plan to use such roads, you need to purchase a vignette. So don’t forget to factor vignette prices into your vacation budget.
Slovenian motorways and expressways also have tolls for trucks and buses. However, vignettes for such vehicles are not purchased in Slovenia. They must be subject to a special DarsGo electronic fee collection system. If you are going to travel in such a car, you need to register with this system and purchase a recording device that should be attached to the windshield of the car. You transfer funds to the created account. They will be deducted from it after you drive certain distances on toll roads. The amount of tolls depends on the length of the sections, the EURO emission class and the specifics of the vehicle, i.e. the number of axles.
Tariffs for roads in Slovenia
Prices for vignettes in Slovenia depend on their validity period. The type of car is also important here, and more precisely the height of the car above the front axle. If you have a car over 130 cm high, you will pay more. The table below shows the most popular types of vignettes. It also contains current prices for vignettes in Slovenia.
| Type of vehicle | 7-day vignette | Moon vignette | Semi-annual vignette | Annual vignette |
| (cat. 1) Motorcycles | 8 euros | – | 32 euros | 58.70 euros |
| (cat. 2 A) Vehicles weighing up to 3.5 t and campers, the height of which above the front axle is less than 130 cm. | 16 euros | 32 euros | – | 117.50 euros |
| (cat. 2 B) Vehicles weighing up to 3.5 t and campers, the height of which above the front axle exceeds 130 cm. | 32 euros | 64.10 euros | – | 235 euros |
Do not forget to buy a vignette, because it can cost you a lot. The fine for not having a vignette is several hundred euros.
Vignettes in Slovenia
As we have already mentioned, when using expressways and motorways in Slovenia, you must purchase a vignette. Different types of vignettes are available. For local residents who travel on expressways, the most profitable option is an annual vignette.
Learn more about vignettes in Slovenia
For you as a tourist, a weekly vignette will probably be more beneficial, and if you have a longer vacation, a monthly vignette will be your best bet. In the era of digitalization, it is not necessary to buy it at gas stations. Slovenian vignettes are available only in electronic form. Therefore, to purchase an electronic vignette, you only need a smartphone and the Internet. And most importantly, you must be careful to enter the vehicle registration number correctly. You can buy an electronic vignette not only from a Slovenian operator, but also through other operators or applications.
When planning a trip to Slovenia, keep in mind that you must pass through at least two other countries, namely the Czech Republic or Slovakia and Austria or Hungary. In all these countries, vignettes are required to use expressways and freeways. Weekly vignettes are not available there, only 10- or 30-day vignettes, and in Austria – 2-month vignettes. Each of these countries also has an electronic vignette.
Add these tolls to your list of expenses and be sure to buy vignettes before you leave. Then you will avoid the hassle of buying them on the go and you won’t have to worry about forgetting to buy them on the way. This is very important, as driving without a valid vignette is usually severely punished.
Mandatory car equipment in Slovenia
When driving a car on all roads in Slovenia, you must remember the mandatory equipment. The necessary minimum is the presence of:
- car first aid kit,
- warning triangle,
- reflective vests,
- spare light bulbs.
Although a fire extinguisher is not included in the mandatory list, it is worth having one in the car. It will definitely come in handy if needed.
Slovenia – the most important traffic rules and speed limits
In Slovenia, drivers must use low beam headlights and wear seat belts all year round. If you are traveling with passengers, make sure they also wear seat belts. If you are transporting children, as in Poland, you must use appropriate seats. While driving, you can only talk on the phone using a hands-free kit. Between November 15 and March 15, you must use winter tires. And in snowy mountain areas you need to have chains. Slovenian law allows driving if the alcohol level is below 0.5 ppm.
The following speed limits apply in Slovenia:
- 50 km/h in populated areas,
- 90 km/h outside populated areas,
- 110 km/h on expressways,
- 130 km/h on highways.
- 80 km/h on all roads outside populated areas, if traveling with a trailer.
Respect and follow these rules and restrictions so you don’t have to spend money unnecessarily on expensive fines.
The most important calls during your stay in Slovenia
If an emergency occurs during your trip to Slovenia, you can use these phone numbers:
- 113 Police,
- 112 European emergency number (ambulance, fire service),
- 1188 General information,
- 1987 AMZS roadside assistance,
- (+386) 1 530 5353 Slovenian roadside assistance