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Driver's Responsibilities

A driver is not just someone who knows how to turn the steering wheel. Act 361/2000 Coll. in Section 5 establishes the responsibilities that every driver must adhere to. If you violate them, you risk a fine and points. In extreme cases, your driving license may even be revoked.

The most important responsibilities relate to attention, alcohol, seat belts, and behavior towards other road users.

Explanation

FULL ATTENTION BEHIND THE WHEEL (Section 5, paragraph 1, letter b)

The driver is OBLIGED to fully engage in driving the vehicle and monitor the traffic situation. This means:

Exception: Hands-free phone kits are permitted. GPS navigation is also allowed.

Fine for holding a phone in hand: 2,500 - 5,000 CZK + 4 points.

ALCOHOL AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES (Section 5, paragraph 2, letter b)

In the Czech Republic, there is a Zero TOLERANCE policy for alcohol while driving. A driver must not:

Refusal of a breathalyzer test = automatically considered as driving under the influence!

Sanctions:

Beware of 'in the evening and in the morning after consuming alcohol' - even a small amount of alcohol affects reaction time!

SEAT BELTS AND CHILD SEATS (Section 5, paragraph 1, letter h)

The driver is OBLIGED to wear a seat belt. Likewise, all passengers must do so.

Child seat:

Exceptions to the use of seat belts:

Fine for not wearing a seat belt: 1,500 - 2,500 CZK, 4 points.

Common mistakes

Most Common Mistakes:

1. "I can take my phone in my hand at a red light" - NO! Holding a phone is prohibited for the ENTIRE duration of driving, including when stopped at a traffic light.

2. "I can have one beer" - NO! In the Czech Republic, there is zero tolerance. Even 0.1 ‰ is not allowed.

3. "A child can sit in the front without a seat if they are buckled up" - NO! A child under 150 cm/36 kg must always be in a seat.

4. "The driver is only responsible for themselves" - NO! The driver is responsible for buckling all passengers in the vehicle.

Explanation

Road Traffic Rules Drive -driver, passengers, children, animals General Duties of Drivers and Passengers I. General Duties of All Road Users (applies to drivers and passengers) Every person in road traffic must: 1. Be considerate and disciplined Behave in a way that does not endanger the life, health, or property of others – or their own. 2. Adapt their behaviour Adjust their behaviour to: ◦ road condition and design, ◦ weather, ◦ traffic situation, ◦ their own abilities and health. 3. Follow all rules and instructions Obey: ◦ traffic rules, ◦ police officers’ instructions, ◦ instructions of other authorised persons (e.g. road workers), ◦ traffic lights, signs, and road markings. 4. No anti-radar devices It is forbidden to use devices that block or interfere with police speed-control or surveillance equipment. II. Duties of the Driver A. Safe driving and vehicle condition The driver must: • Use only a technically safe vehicle. • Pay full attention to driving and traffic. • Fix any fault on the vehicle or load immediately; if not possible, drive slowly to the nearest place where it can be repaired and ensure safety meanwhile. • Not brake or stop suddenly, unless necessary for safety. • Before and at a pedestrian crossing: ◦ slow down or stop if other cars in your lane are slowing/stopping, ◦ not endanger or limit pedestrians on the crossing; if needed, you must stop (does not apply to trams). B. Duties towards passengers, children, and animals The driver must: 1. Ensure safety of passengers and safe transport of the load. 2. Be especially careful around children, people with limited movement/orientation, people with severe disabilities, and animals. 3. Make sure children under 36 kg and 150 cm use a proper child car seat, and never place a rear-facing seat on a seat with an active airbag. 4. Not transport a child under 3 years in a vehicle without seat belts or child restraints. 5. Secure animals so they cannot endanger the driver or passengers. 6. Not throw any objects out of the vehicle. C. Special duties in emergencies and checks The driver must: • Undergo a breath test or medical test for alcohol/drugs when ordered by police or other authorised persons. • During emergency stopping outside the vehicle, wear a reflective vest (except motorcyclists, moped riders, and users of non-motor vehicles).

How to remember it

Practical Summary:

Driver's responsibilities are not just theory – violating some means immediate penalties:

Practical tip: Put your phone in a holder or bag before driving. A hands-free kit is allowed, but it can still distract you. Set your navigation before starting.

After a party: Even one beer takes about 2 hours to metabolize. Two beers = at least 4–5 hours of waiting. The safest option is not to drive at all.

What the law says

(1) Řidič je kromě povinností uvedených v § 4 dále povinen a) užít vozidlo, které splňuje technické podmínky stanovené zvláštním právním předpisem2), b) věnovat se plně řízení vozidla nebo jízdě na zvířeti a sledovat situaci v provozu na pozemních komunikacích, c) přizpůsobit jízdu technickým vlastnostem vozidla nebo fyzickým vlastnostem zvířete, d) dbát zvýšené opatrnosti zejména vůči dětem, osobám s omezenou schopností pohybu a orientace6), osobám těžce zdravotně postiženým a zvířatům, brát ohled na vozidlo přepravující děti, řidiče začátečníka nebo osobu těžce zdravotně postiženou označené podle prováděcího právního předpisu a na výcvikové vozidlo označené podle zvláštního právního předpisu4), e) odstranit na místě závadu, zjistí-li během jízdy, že vozidlo nebo náklad nesplňuje stanovené podmínky uvedené v § 52; nemůže-li tak učinit, smí v jízdě pokračovat přiměřenou rychlostí jen do nejbližšího místa, kde lze závadu odstranit; přitom musí učinit takové opatření, aby během jízdy nebyla ohrožena bezpečnost provozu na pozemních komunikacích a nedošlo k poškození pozemní komunikace ani životního prostředí, f) podrobit se na výzvu policisty, vojenského policisty, zaměstnavatele, ošetřujícího lékaře nebo strážníka obecní policie vyšetření podle zvláštního právního předpisu7) ke zjištění, zda není ovlivněn alkoholem, g) podrobit se na výzvu policisty, vojenského policisty, zaměstnavatele, ošetřujícího lékaře nebo strážníka obecní policie vyšetření podle zvláštního právního předp
Section 5 odst. 1 of Act No. 361/2000 Coll.
(1) Řidič nesmí a) předat řízení motorového vozidla osobě, která nesplňuje podmínky § 3 odst. 3, b) obtěžovat ostatní účastníky provozu na pozemních komunikacích ani jiné osoby zejména nadměrným hlukem, znečišťováním ovzduší, rozstřikováním kaluží, bláta nebo zbytečným ponecháním motoru stojícího vozidla v chodu, c) při jízdě vozidlem držet v ruce nebo jiným způsobem telefonní přístroj nebo jiné hovorové nebo záznamové zařízení. d) kouřit při jízdě na motocyklu, na mopedu a na jízdním kole, e) na druhém sedadle motocyklu přepravovat osobu mladší 12 let.
Section 7 odst. 1 of Act No. 361/2000 Coll.

Verbatim text of Act No. 361/2000 Coll., on road traffic, as in force on 1 January 2026. Quoted in Czech — the Czech wording is the binding one.

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Check what you remember

Five questions from the official bank. The answer appears only after you choose — try to recall it first, that is what makes learning stick.

  1. Question 1 of 5

    Does the use of cosmetics while driving affect the driver's reaction time needed to monitor and resolve situations in road traffic?

    § 5

  2. Question 2 of 5

    There is a large puddle of water on the carriageway that you must drive through on your motorcycle. How will you behave?

    § 5

  3. Question 3 of 5

    The mandatory equipment of motor and towed vehicles must be placed in the vehicle:

    § 5

  4. Question 4 of 5

    A pedestrian at a pedestrian crossing signals their intention to cross the carriageway by waving a white blind person's cane in the direction of crossing. How will you behave?

    § 5

  5. Question 5 of 5

    A driver must not endanger a pedestrian:

    § 5