Driving in Montenegro Licence & IDP Requirements Key Traffic Laws Blood Alcohol Limit Speed Limits Mandatory Equipment Winter Tyres & Mountain Driving Deposits, Insurance & Excess Border Crossings Road Conditions & Practical Tips Useful Resources Frequently Asked Questions Do I need an International Driving Permit for Montenegro? What is the drink-driving limit in Montenegro? Can I drive a rental car from Montenegro to Croatia? How much is the rental deposit in Montenegro? What are the speed limits in Montenegro? Are toll roads common in Montenegro? Ready to book your car? Driving in Montenegro — IDP, Laws, Deposits & Borders Driving in Montenegro Last updated: March 2026 Montenegro is a compact country with dramatic landscapes — towering mountains, deep canyons, and a winding Adriatic coastline. A rental car is by far the best way to explore it all, but the driving conditions here are quite different from what most UK, US, or Australian visitors are used to. This guide covers the essential rules, licence requirements, and practical tips you need before getting behind the wheel. Licence & IDP Requirements Drive on the right — International Driving Permit strongly recommended Montenegro drives on the right-hand side of the road. If you hold a driving licence from the UK, US, Australia, Canada, or any EU/EEA country, you can legally drive in Montenegro. However, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is strongly recommended — and in practice, many rental companies will not release the car without one. UK drivers need a 1968 Convention IDP, available from the Post Office. US drivers can obtain one from AAA, and Australians can get theirs through their state motoring organisation. The IDP is valid for one year and must always be carried alongside your original licence. Even if Montenegrin law does not strictly require an IDP for your nationality, rental suppliers frequently ask for one. Arrive without it and you risk being turned away at the desk. Need to pick up at Tivat Airport? See our Getting Here Key Traffic Laws Strict BAC limit, mandatory equipment, and dipped headlights year-round Blood Alcohol Limit Montenegro enforces a 0.03% BAC limit — one of the strictest in Europe. For practical purposes, this means zero alcohol. A single beer can push you over the threshold, and fines start from €150 upward. Police checkpoints are common, particularly on coastal roads during the summer months. Speed Limits Urban areas: 50 km/h Open roads outside towns: 80 km/h Dual carriageways and expressways: 100 km/h Motorways (where marked): 130 km/h — though Montenegro has very few true motorway sections Speed cameras exist but are not widespread. Mobile police radar checks, however, are frequent on the main E65 coastal highway and the approaches to Podgorica. Mandatory Equipment Reflective warning triangle Reflective safety vest (must be accessible inside the cabin, not in the boot) First-aid kit Spare tyre or repair kit Rental cars should come equipped with all of the above, but check before you drive away. You are also required to use dipped headlights at all times — day and night, year-round. Dipped headlights are mandatory 24/7 in Montenegro. Failure to comply can result in an on-the-spot fine of €40–€100. Winter Tyres & Mountain Driving Compulsory from mid-November to mid-March — snow chains for mountain passes Winter tyres (or all-season tyres meeting the M+S marking standard) are legally required from 15 November to 15 March. If you are renting during the winter season, confirm with your supplier that the vehicle is fitted with appropriate tyres — this is your responsibility to check. If you plan to drive inland toward Žabljak, Kolašin, or over the Krstac pass above Kotor, snow chains may be required even outside the official winter period. Mountain roads above 1,000 metres can see snowfall well into April. Deposits, Insurance & Excess What to expect at the pickup desk Most suppliers in Montenegro require a credit card deposit (security hold) at pickup. The amount varies significantly — typically between €200 and €1,500 depending on the vehicle class and your insurance coverage level. Debit cards are rarely accepted for this hold. Basic rental rates usually include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection (TP), but these come with an excess — the amount you would pay toward any claim. The excess can range from €500 to €2,000.