BiH Theory A cheat sheet

Bosnia and Herzegovina drives on the right; overtaking is normally performed on the left side of the overtaken vehicle.

Priority signs hierarchy: police officer signals override traffic lights, traffic lights override fixed signs, and fixed signs override the general right-hand rule.

The general priority rule at unmarked intersections is yield to traffic approaching from the right.

Roundabout entry in BiH requires yielding to vehicles already circulating inside the roundabout unless signs state otherwise.

Speed limits in built-up areas default to 50 km/h; outside built-up areas 80 km/h; on motorways 130 km/h unless posted signs reduce them.

A triangular sign with red border is a warning sign; a circular sign with red border is a prohibition; a circular blue sign is a mandatory instruction.

Solid white centre lines must not be crossed; broken lines may be crossed when overtaking is safe and permitted.

Traffic light sequence: red, red plus amber, green, amber, red; a flashing amber light means proceed with caution and obey priority rules.

Safe following distance in dry conditions is at least the distance travelled in 2 seconds; double it in rain, and multiply further on ice or snow.

Stopping distance equals reaction distance plus braking distance; reaction distance grows linearly with speed while braking distance grows with the square of speed.

Doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance, so a 50-to-100 km/h change needs about four times the braking distance.

Seat belts are mandatory for the driver and all passengers; children under 12 must use an appropriate child restraint system.

Alcohol limit for ordinary drivers in BiH is 0.3 g/kg (0.3 promille); professional and novice drivers face a zero-tolerance limit.

In fog, use dipped headlights or fog lights; do not use high beam because it reflects back and reduces visibility.

When an emergency vehicle approaches with sirens and flashing lights, move right and stop if necessary to clear a path.

Overtaking is prohibited at pedestrian crossings, on bridges, in tunnels, at railway crossings and where visibility is insufficient.

Minimum tyre tread depth in BiH is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread; winter tyres require 4 mm for use in winter conditions.

Tyre pressure should be checked cold; under-inflation raises rolling resistance, fuel consumption and the risk of overheating and blowouts.

Engine oil level is checked with the dipstick on a level surface with the engine off; level must stay between MIN and MAX marks.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic; absorbed moisture lowers the boiling point and can cause vapour lock and brake fade under heavy use.

Coolant level is checked only when the engine is cold; opening a hot pressurised cooling system risks severe scalding.

A red oil-pressure warning light while driving means stop the engine immediately; continuing risks total engine destruction.

Dipped beam headlights are mandatory in BiH during the winter period and whenever visibility requires it, day or night.

The catalytic converter reduces CO, HC and NOx emissions; it requires unleaded fuel and correct air-fuel mixture to function.

Emergency numbers in BiH: 112 for the unified emergency centre, 122 police, 123 fire service, 124 ambulance.

First step at any crash scene is scene safety: switch on hazard lights, place a warning triangle, and wear a reflective vest before approaching.

Check responsiveness by speaking and gently shaking the casualty; if unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR and call for help.

Adult CPR ratio is 30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths, at 100-120 compressions per minute and about 5-6 cm depth.

Severe external bleeding is controlled by direct pressure on the wound, then a pressure bandage; a tourniquet is a last resort for limb bleeding.

Do not remove a motorcycle helmet unless the airway is obstructed; removing it can worsen a cervical spine injury.

A casualty in shock is kept lying down, warm and calm; do not give food or drink because of aspiration risk.

For a suspected spinal injury, keep the head aligned with the spine and avoid unnecessary movement until professional help arrives.

Drivers must carry a valid driving licence, vehicle registration certificate and proof of compulsory third-party insurance.

Compulsory motor third-party liability insurance (AO) covers damage to other persons; own-damage cover requires a separate kasko policy.

A vehicle must pass periodic technical inspection at intervals set by vehicle category, and a valid inspection sticker is required to drive.

Penalty points accumulate on the driving record; reaching the statutory point total triggers a driving ban and mandatory re-education.

Refusing a breathalyser or blood test is treated as a serious offence with penalties at least as severe as driving over the limit.

Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury is a criminal offence, not merely a traffic violation.

Registration is tied to the owner and vehicle; transferring ownership requires re-registration within the legally prescribed period.

Traffic police may temporarily confiscate a vehicle or licence for serious violations such as driving under the influence or without a licence.

Eco-driving core rules: start gently, accelerate smoothly, shift up early (around 2000 rpm for petrol, 1500-1800 rpm for diesel).

Anticipate traffic and coast to a stop rather than braking late; unnecessary acceleration wasted as brake heat increases fuel use and emissions.

Idling for more than about 30 seconds consumes more fuel than restarting the engine; switch off during long waits.

Roof racks and open windows increase aerodynamic drag; removing unused racks cuts fuel consumption at higher speeds.

Correct tyre pressure and low vehicle weight reduce rolling resistance and fuel consumption directly.

Cold engine operation uses extra fuel and produces more emissions; combine short trips into one longer journey when possible.

Regular servicing, clean air filters and correct spark plugs keep the engine efficient and lower CO2 and pollutant output.

Electric and hybrid vehicles produce no tailpipe emissions in electric mode; regenerative braking recovers kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost.

Category AM covers mopeds up to 50 cm3 or 4 kW and a maximum design speed of 45 km/h; minimum age 16 in BiH.

Category A covers motorcycles; subcategories A1, A2 and A follow a progressive power and age ladder.

Category B covers passenger cars up to 3500 kg with no more than 8 passenger seats; minimum age 18.

Category BE is a B vehicle with a trailer over 750 kg; category C covers goods vehicles over 3500 kg and requires a professional qualification for hire or reward.

Category D covers buses with more than 8 passenger seats; drivers need a medical certificate and periodic medical checks.

A probationary period applies to novice drivers; stricter rules such as zero alcohol tolerance and lower speed limits may apply.

Driving licence categories are printed on the licence; driving a vehicle of a category not held is equivalent to driving without a licence.

A medical fitness certificate is a prerequisite for issuing or renewing a licence, especially for professional and older drivers.