Speed limitSlovakia

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Slovakia. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


4. Speed limit

A speed limit is the maximum legal speed permitted on a road, lane or within a designated area. It may be established by general traffic law or indicated by fixed, variable or temporary traffic signs.

A speed limit is a maximum, not a target speed. Drivers must travel more slowly whenever traffic, visibility, weather, road conditions, vulnerable road users or the condition of the vehicle make the maximum permitted speed unsafe.

Speed-limit, priority-road and locality signs at Iliaš. (Banská Bystrica, Slovakia)
Wikimedia.org • pepanos • CC BY
Which general speed limits should car drivers know in Slovakia?

For an ordinary motor vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes without a trailer, the general maxima are 50 km/h in built-up areas, 90 km/h on other roads and 130 km/h on motorways, subject to applicable signs. Heavier vehicles, buses and certain towing combinations have different ceilings. The vehicle’s own permitted design speed must also be respected.

🔗 static.slov-lex.sk • Slovakia: Road Traffic Act section 16(1)-(7), especially trailer mass rule in (3) and sign exceptions in (6)

🔗 static.slov-lex.sk • Slovakia: Traffic Signs Decree 30/2020, effective 31 March 2024

Does a heavier trailer change Slovakia’s ordinary car motorway limit?

Yes. A vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes towing a trailer whose maximum permitted mass is over 750 kg has a 90 km/h ceiling under the relevant vehicle rule. A higher road sign does not remove that combination-specific maximum.

🔗 static.slov-lex.sk • Slovakia: Road Traffic Act section 16(1)-(7), especially trailer mass rule in (3) and sign exceptions in (6)

🔗 static.slov-lex.sk • Slovakia: Traffic Signs Decree 30/2020, effective 31 March 2024

Can I use Slovakia’s numerical maximum when I cannot stop within the visible road?

No. Speed must be adapted so you can stop within the distance you can see. Poor visibility, weather, surface conditions or load can therefore require a much lower speed than the general or signed maximum.

🔗 static.slov-lex.sk • Slovakia: Road Traffic Act section 16(1)-(7), especially trailer mass rule in (3) and sign exceptions in (6)

🔗 static.slov-lex.sk • Slovakia: Traffic Signs Decree 30/2020, effective 31 March 2024

1 Slovakia 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Speed limit 5 Bike path 6 Slope 7 Bus stop 8 Roundabout 9 Railway crossing 10 Wrong-way driving 11 Traffic lights 12 Traffic mirror 13 Parking 14 Reversing 15 City limit 16 Licence plate 17 Bus 18 Police 19 Ambulance 20 European emission standard 21 Pothole 22 Path 23 Particulates 24 Air pollution 25 Rush hour 26 Road code 27 Street gutter 28 Cargo bike 29 Forestry vehicle 30 Construction vehicle 31 Semi-trailer truck 32 Trolleybus 33 Speed pedelec 34 Delivery vehicle 35 Idling 36 Tow truck 37 Four-wheel drive 38 Bicycle 39 Motorcycle equipment 40 Rail track 41 Caravan 42 Trailer 43 Tow hitch 44 Fire truck 45 Siren 46 Convoy 47 Emergency vehicle lighting 48 Agricultural machinery 49 Electric bicycle 50 Electric vehicle 51 Pedelec 52 Quadricycle 53 Microcar 54 All-terrain vehicle 55 Van 56 Recreational vehicle 57 Scooter 58 Trikke 59 Personal mobility device 60 Skateboard 61 Segway 62 Kick scooter 63 Roller skates 64 Mailman 65 Hitchhiker 66 Toddler 67 Child 68 Disability 69 Motorail 70 km/h 71 mph 72 Speedometer 73 Ride height 74 Dirt road 75 Driving 76 Start-stop system 77 Manual transmission 78 Automatic transmission 79 Throttle 80 Tachometer 81 Steering wheel 82 Power steering 83 Visual scanning 84 Mirror 85 Fuel 86 Fuel gauge 87 Petrol 88 Diesel 89 Diesel exhaust fluid 90 Car insurance 91 First aid kit 92 Fire extinguisher 93 High-visibility clothing 94 First aid 95 Concrete step barrier 96 Barriers 97 Vehicle lights 98 Street lights 99 Dipped beam 100 High beam ...