Traffic Offenses & Fines Table 2026 — Czech Guide
Complete table of Czech traffic offenses: points, fines, and driving bans. Three point tiers (2/4/6), most common offenses, and 2024 reform changes.
Every year, more than 350,000 drivers get fined. Most of them didn't do anything dramatic — they went 60 in a 50 zone, grabbed their phone at a traffic light, or parked where they shouldn't have. And since January 2024, all of that costs significantly more. Fines for phone use behind the wheel jumped 2.5×, alcohol fines rose 25%, and refusing a breathalyzer can now cost up to CZK 75,000. Penalty points were restructured into three simple categories. And new rules were introduced that can strip your license even if you haven't reached 12 points.
This chapter is your reference point. You'll find the complete table of offenses, exact fine amounts, point values, and driving ban durations — all current after the 2024 reform. But we'll also explain the context behind each category: why it's punished, how the system works in practice, and what it means specifically for you.
Quick summary:
- Since January 2024, there are 3 point categories: 2, 4, and 6 points — simplified from five
- The most serious offenses (6 points) carry fines of CZK 7,000–25,000 and often a driving ban
- Two 6-point offenses within 3 years = automatic license revocation ("two strikes" rule)
- The most common offense is speeding in town by 10–19 km/h — accounting for 29% of all cases
How the Point System Works
The Czech penalty point system has been in place since July 1, 2006, and has undergone one major transformation. The reform effective from January 1, 2024 (Act No. 271/2023 Coll.) rebuilt the entire structure. Five point categories (2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 points) were simplified to three: 2, 4, and 6 points. Fewer categories, clearer rules. But higher fines.
The principle remains the same. You start at zero. Points are added for each offense — always on top of the fine, never instead of it. Once your account reaches 12 points, you lose your license for at least one year. With the new system, that takes just two of the most serious offenses (2 × 6 points) or three moderately serious ones (3 × 4 points).
Points don't accumulate forever, though. If you go 12 months without a point-carrying offense, 4 points are deducted. After 24 months, another 4. And after 36 months of clean driving, your account resets to zero. There's also a shortcut — completing a certified safe driving course removes 4 points (but you can only do it once a year, only if you don't have a 6-point offense on record, and your total doesn't exceed 10 points). For a detailed breakdown of how points accumulate and decrease, check our guide on the Penalty Point System.
Check your points online
You can verify your point balance for free at the transport portal (portaldopravy.cz). Log in using your bank identity or the mobile eGovernment key. You can also set up notifications so you receive an SMS or email whenever your balance changes.
Most Serious Offenses — 6 Points
Six points is the maximum you can receive for a single offense. These are things that directly endanger lives — yours and others'. Driving under the influence of alcohol, running a red light, overtaking into oncoming traffic on the motorway, or exceeding the speed limit in town by 40 or more km/h. Most of these offenses carry a driving ban on top of the fine.
A typical fine in administrative proceedings ranges from CZK 7,000 to 25,000. For refusing an alcohol or drug test, it's CZK 25,000 to 75,000 — paradoxically more than if the test came back positive. Driving bans range from 4 months (running a red light) to 36 months (refusing a test). For detailed breakdowns of individual offenses, see the dedicated chapters — Speeding, Drunk Driving, and Criminal Traffic Offenses.
6-point offenses — most serious
| Offense | On-the-spot fine | Administrative proceedings | Driving ban |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driving under the influence of alcohol (above 0.3‰) | — | CZK 7,000–25,000 | 6–18 months |
| Refusing an alcohol/drug test | — | CZK 25,000–75,000 | 18–36 months |
| Exceeding speed limit by 40+ km/h in town (50+ outside) | — | CZK 7,000–25,000 | 6–18 months |
| Running a red light / ignoring a "stop" signal | CZK 4,500–5,500 | CZK 7,000–25,000 | 4–6 months |
| Illegal overtaking | CZK 4,500–5,500 | CZK 7,000–25,000 | — |
| U-turn/reversing/wrong-way driving on motorway | CZK 4,500–5,500 | CZK 7,000–25,000 | — |
| Entering a railroad crossing with barriers closed | CZK 4,500–5,500 | CZK 7,000–25,000 | — |
| Endangering a pedestrian at a crosswalk | CZK 2,500–3,500 | CZK 4,000–10,000 | 1–6 months |
| Accident causing injury or death | — | 2× the base fine | — |
| Operating a technically unfit vehicle | CZK 2,500–3,500 | CZK 4,000–10,000 | — |
Two strikes and you're out
Two 6-point offenses within 3 years mean automatic license revocation — even if your total point count hasn't reached 12. For example, drunk driving plus running a red light is enough.
Moderately Serious Offenses — 4 Points
Four points are for offenses that are dangerous but don't usually create an immediate threat to life. Phone use while driving, exceeding the speed limit by 20–39 km/h in town, not wearing a seatbelt, failure to yield. Fines range from CZK 1,500 on the spot to CZK 10,000 in administrative proceedings. A driving ban is usually not imposed for these offenses — with one exception: driving without a valid license (18–36 month ban and fines up to CZK 75,000).
Underestimating these offenses is a mistake, though. Since the 2024 reform, the "three strikes" rule applies: three 4-point offenses within 3 years will cost you your license. They don't have to be the same offense — phone use + speeding + no seatbelt counts. And phone use and speeding are among the three most common offenses overall. More on phone use in the chapter Phone While Driving.
4-point offenses — moderately serious
| Offense | On-the-spot fine | Administrative proceedings | Driving ban |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exceeding speed limit by 20–39 km/h in town (30–49 outside) | CZK 2,500–3,500 | CZK 4,000–10,000 | — |
| Using phone while driving (holding in hand) | CZK 2,500–3,500 | CZK 4,000–10,000 | — |
| Not wearing seatbelt / child without car seat | CZK 1,500–2,000 | CZK 2,000–5,000 | — |
| Failure to yield right of way | CZK 2,500–3,500 | CZK 4,000–10,000 | — |
| Dangerous turning (from July 1, 2025) | CZK 2,500–3,500 | CZK 4,000–10,000 | — |
| Dangerous lane change | CZK 1,500–2,000 | CZK 2,000–5,000 | — |
| Failure to stop after accident / leaving the scene | — | CZK 7,000–25,000 | — |
| Riding motorcycle without helmet | CZK 2,000–5,000 | CZK 2,000–5,000 | — |
| Driving without a valid license | — | CZK 25,000–75,000 | 18–36 months |
| Driving with suspended/revoked license | — | CZK 7,000–25,000 | — |
Less Serious Offenses — 2 Points
Two points are for offenses that seem minor at first glance — but they show up in the statistics most frequently. Mild speeding in town (10–19 km/h over the limit) accounts for 29% of all point-carrying offenses. That's nearly a third. You're doing 65 in a 50 zone — and you've got points.
This category also includes failure to stop before a pedestrian crosswalk and parking in spaces reserved for people with disabilities. Parking in a disabled spot costs CZK 2,500–3,500 on the spot or CZK 4,000–10,000 in administrative proceedings. More on parking offenses in the chapter Parking and Stopping.
2-point offenses — less serious
| Offense | On-the-spot fine | Administrative proceedings |
|---|---|---|
| Exceeding speed limit by 10–19 km/h in town (10–29 outside) | CZK 1,500–2,000 | CZK 2,000–5,000 |
| Failure to stop before pedestrian crosswalk | CZK 2,500–3,500 | CZK 4,000–10,000 |
| Parking in disabled person's reserved spot | CZK 2,500–3,500 | CZK 4,000–10,000 |
| Driving without professional competency certificate | CZK 4,000–10,000 | CZK 7,000–25,000 |
Non-point Offenses
Not every offense carries points. Speeding by less than 10 km/h, missing mandatory equipment, illegible license plates, or driving without liability insurance — these get you a fine, but no points. That doesn't mean they're free, though. Driving without liability insurance can cost up to CZK 40,000 in administrative proceedings. And covered or illegible license plates cost CZK 2,500–3,500 on the spot, because authorities treat this as an attempt to avoid speed cameras.
Since 2024, an important change applies: if your offense (even a non-point one) causes a traffic accident, the upper fine limit doubles (Section 125d(7) of Act No. 361/2000 Coll.). In serious accidents involving severe injury or death, fines can reach CZK 25,000 to 100,000. And if the accident qualifies as a criminal offense, the entire matter moves to a different world — details in the chapter Criminal Traffic Offenses.
What the Statistics Say
The 2024 figures paint a fairly clear picture. Police and authorities recorded 355,898 point-carrying offenses — an average of 972 per day. Compared to 2023, that's a decrease of nearly 11%, suggesting the reform's tightening is working.
Who commits offenses? Eighty percent of offenders are men, despite making up only 54% of registered drivers. And the top 3 offenses — mild speeding in town, phone use while driving, and higher speeding in town — together account for 54% of all cases. These are things that happen every day, on every road. No wild maneuvers. Just everyday inattention.
At the end of 2024, 449,153 drivers had at least one point on their record — that's 6.42% of all registered drivers. This means 93.6% of drivers have a clean record. The system targets the minority who repeatedly break the rules. Of those with points, 8.8% had reached the full 12 — and 91% of them were men.
The good news: phone-related offenses dropped by 20% (the effect of higher fines), alcohol offenses by 10%, and fatal alcohol-related accidents by 53% in the first three quarters of 2024. Higher fines work — especially for offenses where the effect is immediately visible.
Regional differences
The Moravian-Silesian Region records the most offenses, followed by the Central Bohemian and South Moravian Regions. The Karlovy Vary Region has the fewest. The reasons are straightforward — traffic density, motorway length, and number of speed cameras.
How Fines Are Processed — Three Types of Proceedings
When you commit an offense, there isn't just one path. The law distinguishes three types of proceedings, each with different fine amounts, different rules, and different options for defense.
On-the-spot order (since 2024, this is the official name for what used to be called a "block fine") is the fastest option. The officer tells you what you did and offers you the chance to pay a lower fine right there. You pay by card or bank transfer — cash is now only accepted in exceptional cases. The limit usually doesn't exceed CZK 5,500. But be careful: once you agree and pay, the decision is final and irreversible. You cannot appeal.
Written order proceedings happen when a speed camera catches you and the authority sends you an order by mail. Typical scenario: an envelope arrives with a photo of your car, the offense number, and the amount to pay. You have 8 days to file an objection. If you file one, the entire order is cancelled and the case goes to administrative proceedings. If you don't, the order becomes legally binding.
Administrative proceedings are full formal proceedings at the municipal office of a municipality with extended powers. Fines here are higher — and you'll also pay proceedings costs of CZK 2,500 (since July 1, 2024). On the other hand, you have the right to a defense, the right to inspect your file, and the right to appeal within 15 days. When it's worth fighting and when it's better to just pay, we break down in detail in the chapter How to Fight a Fine.
What Changed Since 2024
The amendment to the Road Traffic Act (Act No. 271/2023 Coll.) took effect on January 1, 2024, and changed the offense system in a fundamental way. It's not just about higher fines. The entire philosophy shifted toward harsher punishment for repeat offenders.
The point system was simplified from five categories to three. Previously there were points for 2, 3, 4, 5, and 7 — now just 2, 4, and 6. At first glance, it looks simpler. In practice, it means that formerly 3-point offenses (phone use, not wearing a seatbelt) moved into the 4-point category. And formerly 5-point offenses (running a red light, illegal overtaking) moved to 6.
Fines for the most serious offenses rose significantly. Drunk driving: from a maximum of CZK 20,000 to 25,000. Refusing an alcohol test: from CZK 50,000 to 75,000. Phone while driving: from CZK 1,000 to 2,500–3,500 on the spot. And entirely new is the doubling of the upper fine limit when an offense causes an accident.
Two critical rules were added. "Two strikes and you're out" — two 6-point offenses within 3 years mean license revocation regardless of total point count. "Three strikes and you're out" — the same for three 4-point offenses within 3 years. These rules target drivers who previously accumulated points slowly and never reached 12, but still repeatedly broke the law.
From July 1, 2025, the penalty for dangerous turning was also tightened — now 4 points + a fine of CZK 2,500–3,500 on the spot.
Digital driver's license
Since 2024, you don't need to carry your physical driver's license in the Czech Republic. The officer can verify your authorization in the registry — you just need to prove your identity with an ID card. Abroad, however, you still need the plastic card.
What Happens When You Reach 12 Points
Reaching 12 points isn't the end of the world, but it means a year without driving and a fairly demanding return process. Here's what to expect, step by step.
First, you'll receive a written notification — by registered mail or data mailbox. From delivery, you have 5 business days to surrender your driver's license at the relevant authority (municipal office with extended powers). Don't count on anyone overlooking it — failing to surrender your license after reaching 12 points is another offense.
The driving ban lasts at least 1 year. After that period, you can apply for reinstatement. You'll need four things: a professional competency reexamination at a driving school (theory + practical driving, the certificate must be no older than 30 days), a medical examination, a traffic psychology assessment, and the application itself at the authority. After successful reinstatement, your point balance resets to zero.
Is it expensive? The reexamination costs roughly CZK 2,000–4,000, the traffic psychology assessment around CZK 3,000–5,000, and the medical examination CZK 500–1,500. In total, expect CZK 6,000 to 10,000 — and that doesn't count a year without a car. Looking for a driving school for reexamination? On Kvalty.cz you'll find driving schools in your city — and if you want to know how to prepare for the reexam, check out the guide All About Driving School.
Summary
- Since January 1, 2024, 3 point categories (2, 4, 6 points) apply with significantly higher fines for serious offenses
- The license revocation limit is 12 points — but 2 × 6 points or 3 × 4 points within 3 years is also enough
- 51% of all offenses involve speeding — both in and outside of town
- Points are deducted: 12 months without an offense = −4 points, 36 months = reset to zero
- After reaching 12 points, expect at least a year without driving + reexamination, medical check, and psychologist
- Disagree with a fine? You can fight it — read how
Key Terms
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| On-the-spot order | Fine handled directly by the police officer — lower rate, but consent is irreversible |
| Written order proceedings | Fine delivered by mail (speed camera) — objection within 8 days, otherwise becomes legally binding |
| Administrative proceedings | Formal proceedings at the authority — higher fines, but right to defense and appeal |
| Point account | Record of penalty points — starts at 0, limit is 12 |
| Two strikes and you're out | 2 × 6-point offense within 3 years = license revocation |
| Three strikes and you're out | 3 × 4-point offense within 3 years = license revocation |
| Point deduction | 12 months without offense → −4 points; 36 months → reset to zero |
| Objective liability | Vehicle owner is liable for the offense even if they weren't driving — no points, but a fine |
| Reaching 12 points | Hitting 12 points — license revoked for min. 1 year + reexamination |
| Safe driving course | Certified course — removes 4 points, max. once per year |