How to Travel in Slovenia by Car?

This small country, located in the very heart of Europe, is exceptionally diverse. Here, you can ski in the Alps in the morning and admire the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea in the evening. 

This bite-sized country has everything a tourist may look for – pristine nature with enchanting lakes and mountains, beautiful forests, and other scenic places. You can easily see all these beauties if you travel by car. 

Despite being small, Slovenia has a well-developed network of roads.

Find The Right Car to Travel Slovenia

You can find a car online and book it in advance. Alternatively, you can rent a car on the spot – there are many international and local agencies providing vehicles for rent. When renting a car, the driver must submit the following documents:

• international driving license
• passport
• credit card for booking a deposit
• voucher if you booked a car online

Car rental prices slightly differ around the country. In Ljubljana, you can find a car even at €25 per day, while this service will be more expensive in other towns. The rental price often includes insurance, but this policy comes with a deductible automatically blocked on your credit card.

Can I Drive a Rental Without Insurance?

All rental cars should have some kind of financial coverage, and without it, you will not be allowed to drive a car. But it does not mean you should necessarily buy a policy at the rental car counter. Every client is free to use third-party insurance if it has more protection or a better price. 

Any independent insurer like CarInsuRent will provide you with the best car hire excess insurance protection against the most common car damages. Basic insurance policies are:

• CDW or LDW (Collision or Loss Damage Waiver) – car insurance against damages or harm, excluding theft. This policy always comes with a deductible. It means that in case of an insured event, you will still be responsible for the amount specified in your lease agreement.
• TP or TI (Theft Protection or Theft Insurance) – a policy providing compensation in the event of theft. It is offered as a supplement to the basic insurance and is mainly required for renting a vehicle in countries with a high risk of such an event.
• TPI or TPL (Third Party Liability Insurance) – a policy that covers losses caused to someone through your fault.
• SCDW (Super CDW) or SuperCover – covers the total cost of damages and has no deductible. No matter what damage happens to a rental car, all repair costs will be fully reimbursed by the company. This policy is the most reliable, but it is also the most expensive.

While most rental vehicles come with the above insurance coverage, you are still liable to pay the excess in the event that the rental vehicle is damaged. With CarInsuRent’s policies, you have piece of mind while your excess is reduced to zero. 

Toll Roads

If you enter Slovenia from a neighboring country, do not forget to buy a vignette. It is sold at petrol stations, border crossings, and many other places. You will find a  list of official points of sale at www.dar.si. The monthly vignette will cost you €30, but you can also purchase it for a week only and pay €15. 

Currently, it is a paper document that must be glued over its entire area in the upper left or lower edge or under the rearview mirror on the inside of the windshield. Slovenia will start using an electronic toll collection system from 2022.

Road Rules

The country has basic traffic regulations that are used in most European countries.

• The speed limit in towns is 50 km/h, outside the city, you can drive at 90 km/h, and on highways – 130 km/h;
• Dipped headlights must be on 24 hours a day;
• Children under 12 years old should only travel in special car seats;
• Seat belts are obligatory for all passengers in a car;
• You can talk on the phone only using a hands-free kit.

In case of a fine for a traffic rule violation, you can settle it on the spot. If you are ready to pay it immediately, then its size is reduced by half.

Wrapping up

More and more travelers prefer independent trips and unique routes. In Slovenia, it is quite feasible, since you will find a car rental agency almost everywhere. 

The main thing is to remember traffic rules and purchase the most protective insurance. This approach will save you from many unpleasant surprises and make your trip truly full of impressions.