Montenegro is a breathtaking country filled with stunning scenery and beautiful panoramic views along the sparkling coastline. Nestled in the heart of the Balkan Mountains on the Adriatic Sea, the country is a popular tourist destination and a great place to discover by car. Reaching Montenegro by car takes visitors through the mountainous regions winding down to the Adriatic Sea passing lakes, canyons, and lush verdant mountain scenery. Renting a car is one of the most effective ways to see the spectacular old towns in Montenegro as well as access the beautiful beaches, historical sites, and off-the-beaten-track hiking trails. Driving is one of the most popular ways to travel through Montenegro, and the best way to catch a glimpse of the spectacular scenery.

Driving around Montenegro will take you through some of the most awe-inspiring landscapes, around the charming historic Bay of Kotor, through the sprawling Lovcen National Park to sparkling Lake Skadar and along the southern Adriatic coast, then inland to the capital of Podgorica. Taking your time and stopping along the way to check out all the charms of the region, is just one of the many benefits of hiring your car to explore magnificent Montenegro.

Most of the roads in Montenegro are sealed two-lane roads, other than some narrow roads along the coastline from Herceg Novi to Bar which is typically one-lane roads. The roads throughout the country are well maintained, and driving on the roads is safe. However, locals tend to ignore the rules of the road and can be quite hasty, even on the narrow hairpin turns along the coast and mountains. There are many tunnels found throughout Montenegro especially along the Bay and into the interior of the country, there is plenty of signage to warm for upcoming tunnels. Traffic tends to get more hectic in the smaller historic towns, especially in Kotor when there are cruise ships in port. There is one toll road in Montenegro, the Sozina Tunnel which connects Lake Skadar to the coast.

The road signs and speed limits signs in Montenegro are standardized and easy to follow. Speed limits are posted in kilometers. .

The national speed limit in the cities and towns of Montenegro is 50 km/h, on highways 80 km/h, and down to 30 km/h in rural areas and small towns. The speed limits can quickly drop, so keep your eyes open for speed signs and take your time, no matter if other cars are speeding by, the locals tend to do their own thing when it comes to driving. Speeding even 10 km/h over the limit can cost you an instant fine of up to €6,000!!! And possibly get your passport seized.

In Montenegro you drive on the right-hand side of the road, low beam headlights should be used even during the day, it is the law. Seatbelts are mandatory for all passengers.

You need a valid driver's license from your home country, a passport, and a valid credit card for your deposit.

The legal drink driving limit is very low in Montenegro at 0.03%, it's not worth even having a drink when driving here. They are very strict about drink driving laws, and you could quite easily be arrested.

The pan-European standard number 112 for all emergency calls is working everywhere in Bulgaria since September 2008. If, for some reason, you can not connect to 112, dial 166 for police, 150 for ambulance and 160 for the fire department.

When renting a car in Montenegro the legal age limit is 21-75. Young drivers (21-25) and senior drivers (70-75) are usually required to pay additional fees when hiring a car. If you are between 25-70 you won’t have to pay any additional fees. The main pick-up points for rental cars in Montenegro are Podgorica, the Bay of Kotor including Kotor or Tivat, Budva, or Zabljak. Many people will fly into Tivat or Podgorica with rental car agencies found at both airports.
Gas Stations/Petrol Stations

Petrol stations are readily available around cities and villages. On the main highway, the petrol stops are clearly marked and often don’t offer a wide range of services like elsewhere in Europe, where you would have a resting place with a restaurant next to it.