Czech Motorway Network: Service Area Guide
An overview of Czech motorways and expressways where the digital vignette is required, including regional nuances and local information.
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Where Is the Vignette Required?
The Czech digital vignette is required on all motorways (dálnice, D-roads) and expressways (rychlostní silnice, R-roads) in the Czech Republic. These roads are marked with blue motorway signs. First-class roads (silnice I. třídy), even those with dual carriageways, do not require a vignette.
Major Motorway Corridors
| Road | Route | Key Cities | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | Prague – Brno – Ostrava | Prague, Brno, Ostrava | Busiest motorway in CZ |
| D2 | Brno – Slovak border | Brno, Lanžhot | Connects to Slovakia |
| D3 | Prague – Tábor – Austrian border | Prague, Tábor, Písek | Partially complete |
| D4 | Prague – Příbram – Písek | Prague, Příbram | Southwest corridor |
| D5 | Prague – Plzeň – German border | Prague, Plzeň, Rozvadov | Main western corridor |
| D6 | Prague – Karlovy Vary – German border | Prague, Karlovy Vary | Northwest corridor |
| D7 | Prague – Chomutov – German border | Prague, Chomutov | Northern corridor |
| D8 | Prague – Ústí nad Labem – German border | Prague, Ústí nad Labem | Dresden corridor |
| D10 | Prague – Mladá Boleslav | Prague, Mladá Boleslav | Northeast of Prague |
| D11 | Prague – Hradec Králové – Polish border | Prague, Hradec Králové | Eastern corridor |
Regional Nuances and Local Information
While the vignette rules are uniform across the Czech Republic, there are several regional nuances worth knowing:
- Prague ring road (Pražský okruh / D0): The Prague ring road is a motorway and requires a valid vignette. However, the Blanka tunnel (Strahovský tunel) is a city road and does not require a vignette — it has its own separate toll system.
- Border crossings: Vignettes can be purchased at most major border crossings with Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Poland. However, not all minor border crossings have sales points — purchase online before your trip if using a smaller crossing.
- Brno bypass: The Brno urban motorway ring is part of the D1/D2 system and requires a vignette throughout.
- Ostrava area: The D1 extension through Ostrava and towards the Polish border (D1/D56) requires a vignette. Note that some sections near Ostrava are classified as expressways (R-roads) rather than motorways.
- Mountain sections: Some motorway sections in mountainous areas (e.g., near Brno on D1) have lower speed limits and additional traffic rules, but the vignette requirement is unchanged.
- Temporary road works: During major roadworks, some motorway sections may be temporarily reclassified or have altered toll requirements. Check the Czech Road Directorate (ŘSD) website for current information.
- Expressway sections under construction: Some R-road sections are still under construction. When completed, they will require a vignette. Check current maps before planning routes on newer expressways.
- Slovak and Austrian border areas: If your journey continues into Slovakia or Austria, note that both countries have their own separate vignette systems. A Czech vignette is only valid in the Czech Republic.
Enforcement Zones
The Czech digital vignette is enforced by an automated camera system installed at motorway entry points and along motorway corridors. The system reads licence plates and checks them against the national vignette database in real time. Additionally, police carry out spot checks at motorway entry and exit points.
Enforcement is active 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is no grace period for driving without a valid vignette — enforcement begins from the moment you enter a motorway section.
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