Bosnia and Herzegovina, or known as Bosnia-Herzegovina and simply; Bosnia, is a country in Southeast Europe, bordered by Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, and having a small Adriatic Sea coastline in the south, near the town of Neum. The country has a rich and diverse history shaped by various empires and civilizations, including the Romans, Ottomans, and Austro-Hungarians, declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1992, which led to a brutal war that lasts until 1995, and its known for its natural beauty, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian architecture, religious diversity, mountainous terrain like the Dinaric Alps, medieval villages and cultural heritage sites.
Its capital, Sarajevo, is considered as the 'Jerusalem of Europe' due to its historical coexistence of Muslim, Christian and Jewish people. It is a symbol of both the tragedies and resilience of the Balkans, offering a unique blend of East and West in terms of culture, cuisine, and history, with landmarks such as: the Latin Bridge (near the site of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, which sparked World War I), Baščaršija, Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque and the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum.
Floods, landslides, wildfires, and earthquakes.
For speeding;
And for drinking & driving;
If any injuries occurred while under the influence, fines can escalate up to 5,000 KM (~£2,212) including a possible driving ban.
Other common driving offences include:
Fines in Bosnia can be issued on the spot by police and should be paid to local authorities (not directly to an officer in cash) as soon as possible, and must be paid before you leave the country. You must obtain an official receipt to prove the fine you received has been paid. For more serious offences, a sentence is decided by the local court.
The official languages of Bosnia are Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian.
Before entering the country the authorities at the frontier must certify any visible damage to your car/motor vehicle when you enter the country. You will be given a certificate which you will have to show when you leave.
During the winter months specified above, you must remove all snow and ice from your vehicle before moving, or you will receive a fine.
In Bosnia, vehicles drive on the right. The minimum driving age is 18, but you must be at least 21 to rent, along with a valid licence that has been held for a minimum of 1 – 2 years. Extra fees are often applied to drivers under 23 – 25 years old, and some agencies restrict luxury vehicles to those under 25. UK drivers can drive in Bosnia for up to six months using a valid UK photocard licence, but it is recommended to have an International Driving Permit (IDP) for certain rental companies, and to avoid potential issues with local authorities.
Headlights must be on at all times — including in the day light. Some motorways (like A1) have tolls, so have cash with you. Roads can be narrow, winding and mountainous, with many rural roads being poorly lit or uneven. In addition; winter tyres or snow chains are required during the winter period (November – April) — especially for heavy snowfall or if designated by road signs, and local drives may drive assertively, overtake on tight roads, and use headlights to signal. It is best to stick to paved roads as possible, drive defensively in cities like Sarajevo, and to watch out for sudden speed limit changes.
Unleaded petrol (Benzin 95/98), diesel and LPG are the most common fuel available at petrol stations. Most fuel stations are either full-service or semi-service where you would go inside to pay after fuelling. Card is accepted in cities, but rural stations may only accept cash — best to always carry cash as backup. Station are frequent in cities and main roads, and are usually open 24/7. However, remote stations are less common, and smaller stations may close earlier than larger ones. If you are planning to drive to remote/mountain areas, fill up before departing and whenever the opportunity arises.
The legal limit is 0.03% (0.00% for drivers under 21 or with under 3 years' experience). Any person visibly under the influence of alcohol is not permitted to travel as a front seat passenger.
Mandatory for all passengers.
Children under the age of 12 years cannot travel in the front passenger seat, and must sit in a suitable child restraint. Children between 0 – 2 years can travel in the front, but must be in a rear facing approved child seat with the airbag deactivated.
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