Driving in Montenegro: A Practical Guide for Visitors

Montenegro is one of the most rewarding places in Europe to explore by car. In a single day you can drive from a beach in Budva to the peaks above Žabljak. Roads are mostly good, distances are short, and a rental car gives you reach that buses and taxis cannot. Here is what visitors actually need to know before setting off.

Which side of the road and what to bring

Montenegro drives on the right, with the steering wheel on the left, like most of mainland Europe. Overtaking is on the left.

Keep these documents in the car at all times:

• Your driving licence — EU and most national licences are accepted for tourists; an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended for some non-European nationalities.
• Your passport or ID.
• The vehicle registration and insurance papers (we provide these with every car) and, if you plan to cross a border, the green card.

If you intend to drive into a neighbouring country, declare it when you book so we can arrange the paperwork — see our fleet and booking options.

Speed limits and police checks

Typical limits are:

The motorway network is still limited, so most of your driving will be on two-lane open roads. Speed limits change often and are signed clearly — watch for the round red-bordered signs, especially entering villages.

Police checks are routine and nothing to worry about. Officers may wave you to the roadside to inspect documents or run a breath test. Stay calm, keep the engine off, and have your licence and papers ready. The alcohol limit is near zero (around 0.03%), so treat any drinking and driving as off-limits. Seatbelts are mandatory for everyone, phones must be hands-free, and dipped headlights are advised at all times.

Roundabouts and town driving

At roundabouts, traffic already on the circle has priority — yield as you enter unless a sign says otherwise, and signal when you exit. Local drivers can be assertive, so be decisive but unhurried.

Old towns like Kotor, Budva and Sveti Stefan are pedestrian or restricted (ZTL) zones. Do not try to drive in; park in the paid lots just outside the walls and walk. Street parking in town centres is usually paid zone parking — look for the signs and pay by machine or SMS.

Mountain and coastal roads

This is where Montenegro rewards careful driving. The coast and mountain roads are narrow and winding, with blind bends and occasional rockfall.

• Sound your horn before tight blind corners on single-track mountain stretches.
• On the famous Kotor–Lovćen serpentine (the "Ladder of Kotor", around 25 hairpins) and the Bay of Kotor road, use low gears and let faster locals pass at the wide spots.
• Allow extra time — a route that looks short on the map can take far longer on serpentines.
• Around the bay you can choose the scenic shoreline road or the quicker Vrmac tunnel.
• The Sozina tunnel between Bar and Podgorica has a toll of about €3.50 for a car; most other roads are toll-free.

In winter, roughly mid-November to late March, you must carry winter tyres or snow chains, especially heading north toward Durmitor and Žabljak.

Fuel and refuelling

Fuel stations are common along main routes and in towns, less so in remote mountain areas — fill up before long inland stretches. Both petrol and diesel are widely available, prices are in euros, and most stations take cards. Our cars run on a full-to-full policy: you collect the car full and return it full, with no fuel markups.

Emergency numbers

Save these before you drive:

• 112 — general emergency (works from any phone)
• 122 — police
• 123 — fire
• 124 — ambulance
• 9807 — roadside assistance (AMSCG)

If you have any trouble with the car itself, call us first — we will guide you and arrange help.

Practical takeaway

Drive on the right, keep your documents handy, respect the 50/80/100+ limits, never drink and drive, and slow right down on the coast and mountain serpentines. Do that and Montenegro opens up beautifully. Ready to explore? Browse our cars, or have one delivered to you in Budva.