Probationary Period — New Driver Guide
One beer and you're done. One 6-point offense and you'll pay CZK 8,000–16,000 for mandatory training. That's what a probationary license looks like — and it applies to every new driver in the Czech Republic. But before you panic: 99 out of 100 new drivers get through it without a single problem.
The probationary period (officially "probationary driving license") runs for 2 years from the moment you first receive your driving license. It was introduced by amendment No. 271/2023 Coll. from January 2024 and applies to everyone who obtained their first driving license from January 2022 onward — regardless of age. It's not just for eighteen-year-olds. If you got your license for the first time at thirty, the same rules apply.
At Kvalty.cz, we help drivers choose a driving school — and here we'll help you understand the system that accompanies you for your first 24 months on the road. Everything is based on current Czech law and real data. In one place, you'll find answers to the questions every fresh license holder asks.
Quick summary:
- The probationary period lasts 2 years from first license issuance
- The point limit is 12 points — the same as for all drivers
- A single 6-point offense triggers mandatory training (psychologist + driving school)
- 99.25% of new drivers pass without issues — the main risk is alcohol behind the wheel
Probationary period in numbers
Before you dive into individual chapters, here are the numbers you need to know. They show how the system works in practice — and why you shouldn't underestimate it, but also shouldn't be afraid of it.
Every new driver in the Czech Republic automatically enters a two-year probationary period. It's not something you need to apply for — it starts the day the authority grants your driving license. You can find the date right on your license. For two years, one extra rule applies to you: if you commit an offense rated at 6 points (the most serious type), you must complete a mandatory prevention program — a traffic psychology consultation and training at a driving school. You have 3 months to do it. Missed it? You lose your license.
In the first two years of the program (2024–2025), 437,280 drivers went through the probationary period. 3,260 of them violated the conditions — that's 0.75%. And of those who violated the conditions, 68% were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (ČT24, 2026). In other words: if you don't drink and drive, you're practically safe.
Probationary Period — Key Numbers
| Parameter | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Probationary period length | 2 years | From first license issuance |
| Point limit | 12 points | Same as for all drivers |
| Mandatory program trigger | 6 points from 1 offense | Accumulation of smaller offenses (2+4) does not trigger |
| Mandatory program cost | CZK 8,000–16,000 | Psychologist (4 h) + driving school (5 h) |
| Deadline to complete | 3 months | From delivery of the authority's notice |
| Success rate | 99.25% | 437,280 drivers in the first 2 years of the program |
| Most common cause of violation | Alcohol/drugs (68%) | 2,227 out of 3,260 cases |
| In effect since | January 1, 2024 | Amendment No. 271/2023 Coll. |
What the probationary period actually means
Think of it like a probation period at work — you're a full-fledged driver with all the rights, but the system watches you more closely for the first 24 months. Unlike some European countries, though, the Czech Republic doesn't restrict you in any way. You can drive on the highway, drive at night, carry passengers, and you don't need to put any sticker on your car. These are some of the most common myths circulating among new drivers — and none of them are true.
The only real difference compared to a "regular" driver is what happens when something goes wrong. A regular driver gets a fine and points for a 6-point offense. You, as a new driver, get a fine, points — and on top of that, a notice requiring you to complete a prevention program. It consists of a traffic psychology consultation (4 hours) and beginner driver training at a driving school (5 hours). In total, it'll cost you CZK 8,000 to 16,000 and take about 9 hours of your time.
Here's the key thing many people get wrong. The program only kicks in when you receive 6 points from a single offense — the most serious type of violation. Accumulating smaller offenses (for example, 2 points + 4 points = 6 points) does not trigger the training requirement.
Who does it apply to?
The probationary period applies to all drivers who received their first license from January 2022 onward — regardless of age and license category. It's not just for eighteen-year-olds. Even if you're 35 and just got your license, the probationary period applies to you.
What you risk — and what you don't
People talk about it a lot, but the reality is surprisingly simple. In two years of the program, fewer than 1 in 100 new drivers violated the conditions. And the vast majority of violators had alcohol or drugs in their system.
The 6-point offenses that trigger the program aren't things you stumble into by accident. We're talking about driving under the influence of alcohol, running a red light, exceeding the speed limit by 40+ km/h in a built-up area, driving the wrong way on the highway, or endangering a pedestrian at a crossing. These are serious situations — not minor slip-ups.
On the other hand, things that commonly earn points (exceeding speed by 10 km/h for 2 points, phone behind the wheel for 4 points) do not trigger the training requirement. You'll still get the points and pay the fine, but you won't have to complete the prevention program. A detailed breakdown is in the chapter Points and Offenses.
Don't underestimate alcohol
68% of new drivers who violated probation conditions were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The Czech Republic has zero tolerance — just 0.3‰ means 6 points, a fine of CZK 7,000–25,000, and a driving ban for 6–18 months. Plus mandatory training for CZK 8,000–16,000. One beer really isn't worth it.
What if something happens
Let's say you committed a 6-point offense. Unpleasant, but manageable. Here's what to expect step by step.
The authority will send you a notice requiring you to complete the prevention program. From the date of delivery, you have 3 months to do two things: complete a traffic psychology consultation with an accredited psychologist (4 hours, CZK 3,000–6,000) and beginner driver training at a driving school (5 hours, CZK 4,000–10,000). You submit the certificates to the authority and keep driving.
What happens if you miss the deadline? The day after the 3-month period expires, you automatically lose your driving license. Nobody needs to tell you — it happens by law (§102g of Act No. 361/2000 Coll.). To get it back, you must submit proof of completing both courses. And if more than a year passes since losing your license, you'll also need to pass a re-examination, medical check, and psychological tests. The complete guide is in the chapter Mandatory Training.
Act fast
If you receive the notice, don't delay. Appointments with psychologists and driving schools can be booked up. Start looking right away — 3 months go by faster than you think.
Frequently asked questions
Two years from the date your driving license was first issued. You can find the date on your license. If you go two years without a serious offense, the period quietly ends — nobody notifies you. → More in the chapter Probationary Period Rules
No. The limit is 12 points, same as everyone else. The difference is that with a single 6-point offense, you must also complete the mandatory prevention program. Accumulation of smaller offenses (2+4=6) does not trigger this requirement. → More in the chapter Points and Offenses
CZK 8,000–16,000 in total (typically CZK 10,000–14,000). The traffic psychology consultation runs CZK 3,000–6,000, driving school training CZK 4,000–10,000. Prices aren't regulated — they depend on the provider. → More in the chapter Mandatory Training
You automatically lose your driving license — the day after the deadline expires. To get it back, you must prove you've completed both courses. If more than a year passes, you'll also need a re-examination, medical check, and psychological tests. → More in the chapter Mandatory Training
Yes, all of it. There are no restrictions on speed, nighttime driving, highway driving, or number of passengers for new drivers in the Czech Republic. You don't even need any marking on your car. → More in the chapter Rules
Everyone who obtained their first driving license from January 2022 onward — regardless of age and license category. It's not just for young drivers.
Alcohol and drugs. Of the 3,260 drivers who violated the conditions in the first 2 years of the program, 68% were driving under the influence of substances. Don't drink and you're practically safe. → More in the chapter Most Common Mistakes
Summary
- The probationary period lasts 2 years from first license issuance — in effect since January 2024
- The point limit is 12 points — same as for all drivers
- A 6-point offense triggers mandatory training (psychologist + driving school, CZK 8,000–16,000)
- Accumulation of smaller offenses (2+4=6) does not trigger training
- You have 3 months to complete it — miss the deadline = automatic license revocation
- 99.25% of new drivers pass without issues — the main risk is alcohol
Key terms
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Probationary period | Two-year period from first license issuance, during which stricter rules apply for serious offenses |
| Probationary driving license | Official name for the probationary period — introduced by amendment No. 271/2023 Coll. from January 1, 2024 |
| Prevention program | Mandatory psychological consultation (4 h) + driving school training (5 h), required after a 6-point offense |
| Traffic psychology consultation | Individual and group session with a traffic psychologist — part of the prevention program (CZK 3,000–6,000) |
| Beginner driver training | Driving school course: 1 h theory + 3 h practical driving + 1 h evaluation (CZK 4,000–10,000) |
| 6-point offense | Most serious type of offense (alcohol, red light, speed 40+ in built-up area) — triggers the prevention program requirement |
| License revocation | Automatic loss of driving license when obligations aren't met within the 3-month deadline (§102g of Act No. 361/2000 Coll.) |
| Point account | Driver's record at the municipal authority — accumulates points for offenses, starts at 0, limit is 12 points |
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