Your Roadmap to Legal Driving in Serbia: A Guide for Foreigners and Citizens

For foreigners living in or planning to visit the Republic of Serbia, understanding the nuances of obtaining a driver’s license can be crucial. Whether you’re a tourist driving through the scenic landscapes of Serbia, a foreign resident navigating daily life, or a Serbian citizen with a driver’s license from abroad, this article sheds light on the legal pathways to ensure your driving journey in Serbia is smooth and compliant with local laws. We delve into the classifications of individuals eligible for driving with a foreign or international license, the process of obtaining or exchanging a driver’s license for foreign nationals and Serbian citizens alike, and the essential documentation required. Get ready to accelerate your knowledge on driving legally in Serbia, ensuring your adventure on Serbian roads is both enjoyable and within the bounds of legality.

Obtaining a Driver’s License for Foreigners in the Republic of Serbia

Foreign citizens, as well as those domestic individuals who have acquired citizenship in another country, often find themselves in doubt about whether they are allowed to use a foreign driver’s license in the Republic of Serbia.

To answer this question, it is necessary to distinguish between three categories of individuals:

1. Foreign citizens staying in the Republic of Serbia as tourists, without approved temporary residence/permanent residency;
2. Foreign citizens with approved temporary residence/permanent residency;
3. Citizens of the Republic of Serbia.

Foreign citizens staying in the Republic of Serbia as tourists, without approved temporary residence/permanent residency

 If foreign citizens are in the Republic of Serbia solely for tourism purposes, it is essential, before their arrival, to verify in their home country whether they require an International Driver’s License for the Republic of Serbia, which they can obtain in their country. The need for an International Driver’s License is determined based on reciprocity rules. Additionally, the national driver’s license must always be carried alongside the International Driver’s License.

If it is not required to have International Driver’s License for the Republic of Serbia, foreigners can operate a motor vehicle using their driver’s license issued by their home country, provided they are the vehicle owners.

Foreign citizens with approved temporary residence/permanent residency

 When we talk about foreigners with approved temporary or permanent residency, it is crucial to make a distinction between individuals who already have a driver’s license and those who need to obtain one.

• Individuals with a foreign driver’s license

 Foreign nationals with approved temporary residence for at least 6 months or those with a permanent residency permit (and also diplomatic and consular staff, representatives of international organizations in the Republic of Serbia, foreign trade, traffic, cultural, and other representations, as well as citizens of the Republic of Serbia returning from abroad to reside permanently), can request a Serbian driver’s license. In this case, there is no need to take a driving test or a first aid test. The driver’s license is issued based on a foreign driver’s license (except for temporary, probationary, and similar licenses) that has not expired, and under the condition that the person meets age and health requirements and has a residence or approved temporary residence of at least 6 months in the Republic of Serbia. The replaced foreign driver’s license will be returned to the issuing authority of the state that issued it.

Foreign citizens are required to exchange their foreign driver’s license for a Serbian driver’s license after 12 months, counting from the day their temporary residence has been approved, (continuously exceeding six months) or permanent residency (or upon issuance of a diplomatic ID card, or from the day a citizen of the Republic of Serbia temporarily or permanently residing abroad enters the territory of the Republic of Serbia).

The replaced foreign driver’s license is returned to the authority of the country that issued that license

It is important to note that a Serbian driver’s license cannot be issued based on an International Driver’s License.

• Individuals without a driver’s license

 In cases where individuals have never held a driver’s license before and wish to obtain one in the Republic of Serbia, there may be particular difficulties, especially for foreigners whose knowledge of the Serbian language is insufficient for passing the theoretical test in driving schools.

In some parts of the Republic of Serbia with a significant number of national minorities, it is possible to take the test in Albanian and Hungarian.

In addition, one of the solutions is the possibility of passing the theoretical test in English, which is the case in some driving schools.

The driver’s license is issued by the territorially competent organizational unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the area where the applicant has residence, while the organizational unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the area where the applicant resides can issue a driver’s license to a foreign national with approved temporary residence of at least 6 months.

Citizens of the Republic of Serbia

 It is important to distinguish whether the domestic citizen has foreign and also has a Serbian driver’s license or only possesses a foreign driver’s license.

In the case where a domestic citizen only possesses a foreign driver’s license, it is obligatory to check, before arriving in the Republic of Serbia, in the country where the driver’s license was issued, whether an International Driver’s Permit is required for the Republic of Serbia. International Driver’s Permit is obtained in the country of issuance of the foreign driver’s license. The need for an International Driver’s Permit is determined based on the principle of reciprocity. Additionally, the national driver’s license is always carried along with the International Driver’s Permit.

When it comes to a situation where an International Driver’s Permit is not required for the Republic of Serbia, they can operate a motor vehicle smoothly based on the driver’s license issued abroad, provided that they are the owners of the motor vehicle.

If a situation arises where the driver possesses both a Serbian driver’s license and a foreign driver’s license that was not issued as a replacement for the Serbian driver’s license, they must exclusively use the Serbian driver’s license while operating a motor vehicle within the territory of the Republic of Serbia. The foreign driver’s license will be confiscated if a driver is found using it in violation of this rule during a traffic inspection.

Required documentation for obtaining a Serbian driver’s license

 The replacement of the foreign driver’s license

It is important to distinguish who is submitting the request for the replacement of a foreign driver’s license. In this regard, two categories of individuals can be identified:

• Citizen of the Republic of Serbia

 In addition to the request for the exchange of a foreign driver’s license, a citizen of the Republic of Serbia must provide:

• A valid foreign driver’s license and a translation certified by an authorized court interpreter;
• A certificate of health capability to drive motor vehicles and vehicle categories for which a driver’s license is required, not older than six (6) months;
• A valid ID card for identification;
• A generated ePlati portal payment receipt;
• One passport-sized photo (50 x 50 mm) in analog format, showing the applicant’s face clearly without retouching, taken within the last six (6) months.

• Foreign citizen

 In addition to the request for the exchange of a foreign driver’s license, a foreign citizen must provide:

• A valid foreign driver’s license and a translation certified by an authorized court interpreter;
• Proof of identity (valid foreigner’s ID or passport) for verification;
• Proof of approved residency in the Republic of Serbia for more than six (6) months;
• A certificate of health capability to drive motor vehicles and vehicle categories for which a driver’s license is required, not older than six (6) months;
• A document indicating the types of vehicles the applicant is authorized to drive and confirming that the license has not expired (if the text on the foreign driver’s license does not specify the category or type of vehicle, or if it has expired);
• A generated ePlati portal payment receipt;
• One passport-sized photo (50 x 50 mm) in analog format, showing the applicant’s face clearly without retouching, taken within the last six (6) months.

• Issuance of a new driver’s license

Foreign citizens who have passed the driver’s test in the Republic of Serbia

When applying for the issuance of a driver’s license, foreign nationals who have passed the driver’s test in the Republic of Serbia must submit the following documents to the competent authorities:

• Certificate of health capability for driving motor vehicles and vehicle categories for which a driver’s license or provisional driver’s license is requested;
• Certificate of passing the driver’s test for driving motor vehicles and vehicle categories for which a driver’s license or provisional driver’s license is requested;
• Confirmation of passing the first aid exam, except when applying for a license to drive F and M category vehicles;
• Proof of payment of the prescribed administrative fee, form fee, and issuance costs for the driver’s license or provisional driver’s license;
• Identity card of a foreigner for inspection;
• Travel document for foreigners;
• Proof of residence registration, or approval of residence for more than three months.

In order to ensure the correct application of regulations and the legal use of driver’s licenses, it is recommended to consult with the competent authorities or a lawyer to obtain comprehensive information and precise guidelines.

In any case, drivers should respect local laws and traffic regulations in order to ensure traffic safety and avoid unnecessary complications when using driver’s licenses in the Republic of Serbia.

Navigating the Road to a Serbian Driver’s License for Foreigners

Obtaining or exchanging a driver’s license in the Republic of Serbia doesn’t have to be a road filled with obstacles. Whether you’re a foreigner with temporary or permanent residency, a tourist wishing to explore Serbia by car, or a Serbian resident returning home, this guide aims to navigate you through the legal requirements and procedural steps to ensure your driving experience in Serbia is seamless and compliant. Remember, driving in Serbia with the correct documentation not only keeps you on the right side of the law but also enhances the safety and enjoyment of your travels. Armed with the right information and necessary documents, you’re now ready to take on the roads of Serbia confidently and legally.

This text is prepared solely for informational purposes and should not be construed as legal or any other form of advice. For precise and professional information and advice tailored to your specific case, it is necessary to consult with qualified professionals in the relevant fields. The authors and publishers of this text assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor for any damage that may result from the use of the information contained herein. The information and views expressed here reflect the situation as of the publication date and may change without prior notice. This article is written by our colleague Ms. Sofija Stefanović.