Speed Limits and Rules for Vans up to 3.5 t

Speed limits for vans up to 3.5 t

Speed limits for vans up to 3.5 tonnes are the same as for cars. Fifty in built-up areas, ninety outside built-up areas and one hundred and thirty kilometres per hour on motorways, unless a sign says otherwise. The stricter limits you know from lorries don't apply to a van with a gross weight of up to 3.5 tonnes. But that doesn't mean you can drive it the same way as a car.

The limit is a ceiling, not a recommendation

A loaded van needs a longer stopping distance than a car. In the wet or in queues of traffic, it's therefore sensible to drive noticeably below the limit and keep a bigger gap. This applies especially on the motorway, where the difference in braking between an empty and a full vehicle is most noticeable.

When the limit changes

What matters is the vehicle's gross weight, not what it looks like. As long as you stay within 3.5 tonnes including the load, occupants and fuel, you are driving under the same regime as a car. The payload of our vehicles usually ranges between 1 100 and 1 450 kilograms depending on the model, and you'll find the figures in our fleet. A load beyond the payload isn't just a question of rules, but also of brakes and tyres.

The figures in the registration document are what count

The values that apply in case of doubt are in the vehicle's documents. Both the kerb weight and the maximum permitted weight are stated in the vehicle registration document, which stays in the vehicle. If you're not sure whether your load will keep you within the limit, it's the only reliable source. Estimating by how full the cargo area is isn't reliable; heavy materials use up the payload before they use up the space.

Driving licence and documents

For a van up to 3.5 tonnes, a category B driving entitlement is enough. You don't need any professional licence or training. When picking up the vehicle, you prove your identity with two documents, one of which is your driving licence. All our vehicles have a manual gearbox, so they can't be driven with an entitlement restricted to automatics.

Who is allowed behind the wheel

Only the person named in the contract is allowed to drive. A second driver can be added, but must be registered in advance. Taking turns at the wheel without notifying us is an unnecessary risk; don't complicate a longer trip with it.

What applies on the road and off it

Motorway vignette and toll sections

Our vans have a valid Czech motorway vignette included in the rental price. So you don't need to buy anything extra or sort anything out before joining the motorway. However, the vehicles may only be used within the Czech Republic; trips abroad are not permitted, so you won't need to deal with other countries' vignettes.

Prohibitory signs and supplementary plates

A sign for lorries usually doesn't apply to a van up to 3.5 tonnes. What matters is always the text on the supplementary plate, which usually states the weight limit. In towns there are often bans on vehicles over a certain weight; read the figure carefully there, because it differs from street to street.

Winter tyres

In the winter period, you drive on winter tyres if the conditions require it. The rule covers situations with a continuous layer of snow, ice or frost, or when such road conditions can be expected. You'll get the vehicles prepared according to the season, but if you're driving to the mountains, check the weather in advance.

Practical implications for drivers

You're not restricted in which lanes you use. Unlike heavier lorries, you can also use the other lanes on the motorway, but don't push needlessly to the left with a loaded van. Driving smoothly in the right-hand lane is more comfortable and kinder on fuel.

Think twice before overtaking. A van accelerates more slowly than a car, so the manoeuvre takes longer and you need a much longer clear stretch. If you're not sure, stay behind the vehicle in front.

No-stopping and no-parking restrictions apply regardless of the size of the vehicle. A van is just more visible, so enforcement will notice it sooner than a car in the same spot. In town, it's therefore better to move one street further on than to risk being towed.

You may only carry as many people as the vehicle has seats. The number of seats is stated in the vehicle registration document, and nobody may ride in the cargo area. Seat belts apply to everyone on board without exception.

Mileage within the Czech Republic is unlimited. Excess kilometres aren't charged, so plan your trip not by kilometres but by time and safety. You'll find details of the rental terms in the FAQ section and other customers' experiences in the reviews.