Czech toll roads: where you need a vignette and where you do not
Last checked: 30 October 2026
In the Czech Republic you need a vignette only on the tolled sections of motorways. These sections are listed in Czech regulation (Decree No. 480/2020 Coll.) and marked with road signs. Ordinary roads and city streets are free, and some motorway bypasses around larger cities are toll-free too.
Which roads are tolled
On tolled motorway sections, drivers pay a time-based charge, and the e-vignette is the proof of payment. It applies to vehicles with a maximum permissible weight of up to 3.5 tonnes: cars, vans, minibuses and motorhomes. Motorcycles are exempt. Heavier vehicles pay a distance-based electronic toll instead, using an on-board unit.
What matters on the road is the signage. The start of a tolled section is marked with a sign, and so is a section that is free of charge. If the sign says the section is tolled, you need a valid vignette from that point on. Rather than memorising lists, follow the signs, and if in doubt, assume a vignette is needed.
Toll-free sections around cities
Some motorway sections that serve as city bypasses are toll-free and can be used without a vignette. Examples include:
| Area | Toll-free section (example) |
|---|---|
| Prague | Western part of the D0 ring road |
| Brno | D1 around the city |
| Olomouc | D35 around the city |
| Plzeň | D5 in the Plzeň area |
These are general examples only; where a toll-free section begins and ends is shown by signs. Note that only parts of the Prague ring road are toll-free; other parts are tolled. For more on driving into the capital, see our guide to driving to Prague.
Roads that are always free
- Ordinary roads outside the motorway network.
- City streets, including those in Prague, Brno and other cities.
- Motorway sections marked as toll-free.
Avoiding motorways entirely is possible, but for longer distances it usually means slower roads through towns and villages. For most visitors, a short vignette is the simpler choice.
The network keeps changing
New motorway sections are opening in 2026 and 2027, so the list of tolled sections changes over time. According to a draft by the Ministry of Transport, further sections could become tolled from 1 January 2027. That is why this guide does not list kilometre posts or exit numbers: the signs on the road are what counts.
At the border
Coming from Germany, Austria or Poland, the tolled motorway may begin shortly after the border. Sources differ on exactly where it starts on each route, so the safest approach is to buy the e-vignette online before you set off. That way you are covered from the first tolled section and do not have to look for somewhere to stop near the border. Remember that the vignette is valid from the start date you choose and never before payment.
Driving on a tolled section without a valid vignette can lead to an on-the-spot fine of up to 5,000 CZK. Our guide on fines and what to do if you forgot the vignette explains the details.
How checks work
The e-vignette is linked to your number plate. Checks are carried out by the Czech Police and Customs Administration, using cameras and patrols. You do not need to display or print anything, but the number plate and country of registration must be entered correctly.
Frequently asked questions
Are there other Czech tolls or highway tolls for cars?
No. For vehicles up to 3.5 t the only Czech highway toll is the time-based e-vignette, sometimes called the Czech toll sticker or digital vignette for the Czech Republic. There are no toll booths. Distance-based road tolls apply only to vehicles over 3.5 t.
Do I need a vignette if I only drive a short stretch of motorway?
Yes. If the stretch is tolled, even a few kilometres require a valid vignette for that day. The shortest option is the 1-day vignette, at 230 CZK for a petrol or diesel car in 2026.
Is the Prague ring road free?
Only partly. The western part of the D0 is toll-free, while other parts are tolled. Watch the signs as you join it.
Do the rules differ for foreign cars?
No. Cars on foreign plates need a vignette on the same sections as Czech cars, and the check is based on the number plate and its country of registration. For rental cars, ask the rental company whether a vignette is already included.