Bosnia and Herzegovina (South Eastern Europe)

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Population: 3,422,000 (2023 estimate)
Currency:  Convertible Mark
Geographic: 44 N, 18 E

Useful information and history:

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.

Time difference:

UTC+1 daylight saving time +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October.

Natural Hazards:

Floods, landslides, wildfires, and earthquakes.

Fines:

For speeding, going 10–20 km/h over the limit can result in 50 KM (~£22), whereas 20–30 km/h can lead 100 - 300 KM (~£44 - £133), and over 30 km/h can lead to 400 - 1,000 KM (~£178 - £445), even more if there's an accident. And for drinking & driving; 0.3 – 0.8% leads to 50 – 250 KM (~£22 - £111), 0.8–1.5%: 100 – 300 KM (~£44 - £133), and over 1.5%: 400 - 1,000 KM (~£178 - £445). If any injuries occurred while under the influence, fines can escalate up to 5,000 KM (~£2225).

Other common driving offences include:

  • Not using dipped headlights, which are mandatory 24/7 (~30 KM)
  • Fog light misuse (~50 KM)
  • No seat belt - front or rear (100 – 300 KM)
  • Using mobile phone while driving (100 – 300 KM)
  • Driving through red light (100 – 300 KM)
  • Poor overtaking, failing distance, etc. (40 – 250 KM)
  • Child seat or front seat rules breach (40 – 400 KM)

Fines in this country can be issued on the spot by police officers 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 has been paid. For more serious violations and offences a sentence is decided by the local court.

Additional Information:

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 you will receive an on-the-spot fine.

Motor information to keep in mind:

In Bosnia, vehicles drive on the right. Tourists can drive in Bosnia for up to six months using a valid national driver’s licence. When driving in this country you must be at least 18 years old to drive a temporarily imported car or motorbike bigger than 125cc (most companies require you to be 21+, and some may require a minimum of 2 years’ driving experience). You are also recommended to hold a international driving permit to accompany your own driving license to avoid language issues during police checks or rental. With your car/motorbike insurance you must hold a green card.

Fuel:

The fuel available in Bosnia and Herzegovina is unleaded petrol (95 & 98 octane) and diesel, LPG is also available at some filling stations and you are also permitted to carry petrol in a can.

Speed Limits:
  • Built-up areas: 50 km/h (~31 mph)
  • Rural roads: 80 km/h (~50 mph)
  • Expressways: 100 km/h (~62 mph)
  • Rural roads: 130 km/h (~81 mph)
Drinking & Driving:

The legal limit is 0.03% (0.00% for drivers under 21 or with under 3 years' experience). There can be severe penalties for drink driving including fines or suspension from driving. Another thing to take note of is that any person visibly under the influence of alcohol is not permitted to travel as a front seat passenger.

Seat Belts:

Whilst travelling in a motor vehicle seat belts must be worn by all passengers in the car, front and back if they have been fitted.

Passengers/Children:

A child under the age of 12 years cannot travel in the front passenger seat with the exception of a child between 0-2 years who can travel in this seat in a rear facing approved child seat with the airbag deactivated. All children under 12 years must sit in a suitable child restraint.

Items/Documents Required when Driving:
  • Passport/ID
  • Driving licence, vehicle registration, insurance/Green Card
  • Spare bulbs
  • Snow chains- must be used if the relevant road signage is displayed or is now is more than 5cm deep, so it is bly recommended that these are carried.
  • Winter tyres or M&S tyres (compulsory between 5th November and 15th April)
  • First aid kit
  • Warning triangle (two is towing a trailer)
  • Tow rope/bar
  • Spare tyre
  • Reflective jacket
  • Fire extinguisher (LPG vehicles only)

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