Fines for driving without a Czech vignette, and what to do if it happens
Last checked: 24 October 2026
Driving on a tolled Czech motorway without a valid vignette can lead to an on-the-spot fine of up to 5,000 CZK, or up to 20,000 CZK if the case goes to administrative proceedings. A vignette cannot be bought retroactively to cancel the offence. If you realise you are on a tolled section without one, leave at the next exit or buy a vignette straight away; it is valid from payment, not before.
How much is the fine?
| Situation | Maximum fine |
|---|---|
| On-the-spot fine | 5,000 CZK |
| Administrative proceedings | 20,000 CZK |
| Claiming an exemption you are not entitled to | 100,000 CZK |
The fines for driving without a vignette are set by Act No. 13/1997 Coll. (section 42a). For comparison, a 10-day vignette for a petrol or diesel car costs 300 CZK in 2026, so the risk is out of all proportion to the saving. Current rates are in our guide to Czech vignette prices.
How checks work
Checks are carried out by the Czech Police (Policie ČR) and the Customs Administration (Celní správa). They use cameras that read number plates, and patrols also stop vehicles. Because the vignette is purely electronic, the check is based only on the number plate and its country of registration. A foreign plate is checked just like a Czech one.
This also means that a typo in the plate has the same effect as having no vignette at all. If you notice one, correct it as soon as possible; our guide on correcting a wrong number plate explains how.
I drove onto a tolled motorway by mistake. What now?
Unlike in some other countries, there is no way of paying the charge afterwards to avoid a penalty. You have two sensible options:
- Leave at the next exit. Continue on ordinary roads, which are free, or stop safely and sort out a vignette before rejoining the motorway.
- Buy a vignette immediately. Do this only once you have stopped safely, never while driving. The vignette covers you from the moment of payment, not the time you spent on the motorway before that.
Holding a phone while driving is prohibited in the Czech Republic, so pull over first. More on this in our guide to driving rules in the Czech Republic.
Common reasons drivers get fined
- No vignette after crossing the border. The tolled section may start shortly after the border, before you have had a chance to stop.
- The 1-day vignette expired at midnight. In 2026 it is valid until 23:59:59 on the chosen day, not for 24 hours.
- Wrong start date. A vignette bought in advance for the wrong day does not cover today.
- Typo in the number plate or wrong country.
- Foreign electric car not notified. The exemption for electric cars on foreign plates applies only after it has been notified in advance.
- Rental car assumptions. Not every rental car comes with a valid vignette; ask when you collect it.
How to avoid a fine
- Buy the e-vignette online before you set off, so you are covered from the first tolled section.
- Choose the duration by travel days; see which vignette to choose.
- Check the number plate, country and start date before paying.
- Follow the signs: they show where tolled sections begin and which sections are free.
You can order the e-vignette online on DalnickaPortal in a few minutes: choose the duration and start date, enter your number plate and pay. The plate is registered in the Czech system and you receive a confirmation by email.
Does this apply to foreign drivers?
Yes. The rules and fines apply equally to Czech and foreign vehicles, including rental cars. Cameras read foreign number plates in the same way, and patrols can stop any vehicle on a tolled section.