From Sunday 1 November to 31 March every car in Croatia must drive with lights on by day, even in sunshine. Daytime running lights are enough, the fine is 30 euros. What changes in fog and rain, and which rules apply in Slovenia and Bosnia on the way down.
Checked: 24 October 2026, 14:14
From Sunday 1 November 2026, Croatia's daytime lights rule is back. Until 31 March every car must drive with daytime running lights or dipped headlights on, even in bright sunshine, on motorways as well as in town. Drivers caught without lights pay 30 euros. The rule applies to locals and visitors alike, so it also covers everyone arriving by car from Germany, Austria, Switzerland or the UK this autumn and winter.
A week earlier Croatia switches to winter time: in the night to Sunday 25 October the clocks go back from 3:00 to 2:00 (Slobodna Dalmacija). After that it gets dark earlier in the evening. The newspaper Glas Istre reminded drivers of the deadline on Saturday.
What the law says
The rule is Article 102 of Croatia's Road Traffic Safety Act (Zakon o sigurnosti prometa na cestama, zakon.hr). It says motor vehicles driving by day must have daytime running lights or dipped headlights on from 1 November to 31 March. Motorcycles and mopeds must ride with dipped headlights by day all year round. The fine for the driver is 30 euros. The period is fixed by the calendar and does not depend on the weather.
Advertisement
When daytime running lights are not enough
At night and in poor visibility Article 101 asks for more: two white or yellow lights at the front and an even number of red lights at the back. On many cars the daytime running lights leave the rear lamps dark. In fog, heavy rain or at dusk, switch to dipped headlights. Driving without the required lights in those conditions costs 60 euros under Article 101. The Austrian motoring club also advises dipped headlights at dusk and in bad weather (ÖAMTC).
Lights on the way to Croatia
The transit countries have their own rules. According to the ÖAMTC, cars in Slovenia drive with lights on all year, and so do cars in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which you cross at Neum on the way to Dubrovnik, as well as in Serbia and Montenegro. In Italy the requirement applies outside built-up areas all year. Germany has no general daytime lights rule for cars (ADAC). Keep the lights on from the Slovenian border and you are also covered in Croatia from November.
Advertisement
What it means for visitors
- From 1 November to 31 March: lights on for every drive by day, on motorways, country roads and in town.
- Daytime running lights are enough in good visibility. In fog, rain and at dusk, use dipped headlights.
- If the light switch is on automatic, check before setting off that the front lights are really on. This matters most in a rental car.
- Fines: 30 euros for no lights by day, 60 euros for missing the required lights at night or in poor visibility.
- Motorcycles and mopeds: dipped headlights by day all year round.
- From 15 November winter equipment becomes mandatory on many routes as well: winter tyres in Croatia.
Frequently asked questions
- Are daytime running lights enough in Croatia?
- Yes, by day in good visibility. From 1 November to 31 March the law asks for daytime running lights or dipped headlights. At night and in poor visibility the front and rear lights must be on, otherwise the fine is 60 euros.
- Do you need lights on by day in Croatia in summer?
- Not for cars. The rule applies from 1 November to 31 March. Motorcycles and mopeds ride with dipped headlights by day all year.
- How much is the fine for driving without lights by day?
- 30 euros under Article 102 of the Road Traffic Safety Act. Missing lights at night or in poor visibility cost 60 euros under Article 101.
Official sources
Share this guide
Questions about your trip?
Make Croatia Atlas a preferred source
One click and Google shows you our stories more often in Top Stories and in AI answers. It changes your own results only.
