The Ministry of Transport in the Czech Republic has confirmed that there will be a significant increase in the prices of highway stickers, effective from March 1, 2024. Drivers can expect to pay an additional 800 CZK for an annual electronic highway sticker, with the price rising from 1500 CZK to 2300 CZK. This adjustment has been under discussion for several years, and now the actual amount has been determined.

The new prices will also apply to hybrid vehicle owners, albeit at a reduced rate of 570 CZK. Only electric vehicles will remain completely exempt from the highway sticker requirement. These increased prices will be implemented from the date of purchase starting March 1, 2024.

To provide a grace period, the Minister of Transport, Martin Kupka, has advised that those who purchase a highway sticker on February 29 and set the validity from March 29 will still pay the original price. The annual sticker will then be valid until spring 2025, taking into account that next year is a leap year and February will have an extra day.

The option to purchase a sticker with a sliding validity three months in advance will be available until the end of this year. However, starting from the New Year, the advance purchase period will be reduced to one month. It has been observed that drivers rarely took advantage of the extended advance purchase period.

For occasional highway users, it may be more economical to consider purchasing a monthly sticker for 430 CZK or a ten-day sticker for 270 CZK. Surprisingly, these short-term stickers will experience a slight price decrease compared to the current rates due to regulations imposed by the European Union, which impose a maximum percentage of their cost relative to the annual sticker. Short-term stickers are more commonly utilized by foreigners passing through the Czech Republic. Additionally, a new one-day highway sticker will be introduced at a cost of 200 CZK.

Motorists will have various options to purchase the sticker, including the e-shop at www.edalnice.cz, which is already used by 90% of drivers, as well as Czech Post branches or EuroOil petrol stations. With the introduction of the new prices, the e-shop will be linked to the vehicle registry, ensuring that the appropriate prices for each vehicle are displayed upon entering the license plate number. This improvement will prevent owners of cars running on biomethane or hybrids from accidentally purchasing a full-priced sticker.

It is worth noting that the Czech Republic has one of the strictest penalties for driving without a highway sticker among EU countries. Offenders can face fines of up to 5000 CZK, with administrative proceedings potentially resulting in a quadruple fine of 20,000 CZK. Compliance with the highway sticker requirement is crucial to avoid these penalties and contribute to the maintenance and development of the country’s road infrastructure.

Article by Prague Forum