Croatia Category C Theory cheat sheet

Speed limits in Croatia: built-up areas 50 km/h; outside built-up areas 90 km/h; motorways 130 km/h; expressways 110 km/h. For lorries over 3.5 t: 80 km/h outside built-up areas, 90 km/h on motorways/expressways unless otherwise signed.

Minimum following distance: at least the distance travelled in 2 seconds; in tunnels and at night at least 3 seconds or the full stopping distance if greater.

Overtaking is prohibited at pedestrian crossings, before and on railway crossings, at intersections unless on a priority road, and where visibility is insufficient.

Safety distance when overtaking a cyclist: at least 1.5 m outside built-up areas; 1 m inside built-up areas.

Traffic light sequence: red → red+amber → green → amber (stop unless unsafe to do so) → red. Flashing amber means proceed with caution.

Priority signs: STOP (octagon) requires a full stop; 'Give way' (inverted triangle) requires yielding but not necessarily stopping. Priority road sign (yellow diamond) indicates right of way at intersections.

Mandatory signs (blue circle) impose a requirement (e.g., direction, minimum speed, use of snow chains); prohibition signs (red circle) forbid an action.

Road markings: solid white line = no crossing; broken white line = may cross if safe; yellow zigzag = no stopping/parking; double yellow line = no parking.

Parking and stopping: prohibited within 5 m of a pedestrian crossing, 15 m of a bus stop (unless otherwise marked), on railway crossings, on bridges, in tunnels, and where the vehicle would obstruct visibility of traffic signs.

Stopping distance = perception-reaction distance + braking distance. Reaction distance ≈ speed (km/h) ÷ 10 × 3 (for 1 s reaction). Braking distance grows with the square of speed.

In rain, braking distance increases by about 50%; on ice or snow it can be 10 times longer than on dry asphalt.

Aquaplaning occurs when water depth exceeds tread depth; correct action is to ease off the accelerator, keep steering steady, and avoid sudden braking.

The 'two-second rule' applies in good conditions; double it in rain, triple it on ice or in fog.

Blind spots: for a lorry, the largest blind spots are directly in front, immediately behind, and along both sides (especially the right side). Use mirrors and lean forward to check.

Fatigue: after 4 hours of continuous driving take at least a 45-minute break; symptoms include lane wandering, delayed reactions, and microsleeps. Opening a window or loud music is not a substitute for rest.

Hazard perception: scan 12–15 seconds ahead, look for brake lights, road works, pedestrians near the kerb, and vehicles emerging from side roads. Anticipate rather than react.

In fog, use dipped headlights and fog lights only when visibility is below 50 m; do not use rear fog lights when visibility improves.

Motorway breakdown: park on the hard shoulder, switch on hazard lights, place a warning triangle at least 50 m behind the vehicle (150 m on motorways), and wait behind the barrier.

Maximum authorised mass (MAM) is the maximum weight of the vehicle including load, fuel, and driver. Payload = MAM minus kerb weight.

Tyre tread depth for lorries: at least 1.6 mm across the central 3/4 of the tread and around the entire circumference for cars; for lorries over 3.5 t the minimum is 1.6 mm in the main grooves. Check tyre pressure when cold.

Air brake system: pressure must build to at least 4.5 bar before moving; a warning sounds below 4.5 bar. Drain air tanks regularly to remove condensation.

ABS prevents wheel lock-up during braking; EBS adds electronic brake-force distribution and stability control. ABS does not shorten braking distance on loose surfaces such as gravel.

AdBlue (diesel exhaust fluid) is used in SCR systems to reduce NOx emissions; running out may reduce engine power or prevent starting after a warning period.

Daily walk-around check: lights, tyres, brakes, steering, mirrors, wipers, horn, warning triangle, fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, and load security.

Speed limiter: lorries over 3.5 t must be fitted with a speed limiter set to 90 km/h (or 80 km/h for certain categories).

Winter equipment in Croatia: winter tyres (M+S) on all wheels or summer tyres with at least 4 mm tread plus snow chains in the boot, from 15 November to 15 April (or as signed).

Category C: motor vehicles over 3.5 t MAM (excluding buses) with a trailer up to 750 kg. Minimum age 21 (or 18 with a certificate of professional competence for professional drivers).

Category C1: vehicles from 3.5 t to 7.5 t MAM with a trailer up to 750 kg. Minimum age 18.

Category CE: C vehicle with a trailer over 750 kg. Requires category C first.

Driver CPC (Code 95): professional lorry drivers must complete 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years. Initial qualification requires 280 hours (or 140 hours with accelerated option).

Driving licence must be carried at all times when driving; police may require it. Digital tachograph card must also be carried.

Licence validity: category C/CE licences for drivers under 50 are valid 5 years; from age 50, medical checks are required more frequently (every 5 years until 60, then every 2 years, then annually from 65).

Medical fitness: minimum visual acuity 0.8 in the better eye and 0.5 in the worse eye (with correction if needed); field of vision at least 160 degrees.

Disqualification: driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above 0.5 g/kg (0.5‰) is an offence; for professional drivers and drivers under 24 the limit is 0.0‰.

Croatian BAC limit: 0.5 g/kg (0.5‰) for general drivers; 0.0‰ for drivers under 24, professional drivers (C, D, CPC), and drivers of dangerous goods.

Alcohol elimination: roughly 0.1–0.15‰ per hour; only time removes alcohol. Coffee, cold showers, or fresh air do not speed elimination.

Prescription and over-the-counter medicines can impair driving; check the label for warning symbols. Do not drive if the medicine causes drowsiness or slowed reactions.

Illegal drugs: zero tolerance. Refusing a drug or alcohol test is an offence equivalent to driving under influence.

Medical conditions requiring notification: epilepsy, diabetes requiring insulin, severe heart conditions, sleep apnoea, and certain psychiatric conditions. The licensing authority may impose restrictions or require periodic review.

Vision: corrective lenses must be worn if prescribed; carry a spare pair. Report any significant change in vision.

Fatigue and illness: do not drive when ill or exhausted. Professional drivers must record health-related absences in accordance with company policy.

Penalties for driving under influence: fines, licence suspension, and possible imprisonment. For professional drivers, a DUI offence can lead to loss of CPC and employment.

Maximum authorised dimensions for lorries in Croatia: width 2.55 m (2.60 m for refrigerated vehicles), height 4.0 m, length 12 m for rigid lorries, 16.5 m for articulated vehicles, 18.75 m for road trains. Loads may overhang the front by up to 1 m and the rear by up to 1.5 m (with marking).

Maximum authorised weight: 40 t for a 5-axle articulated vehicle; 44 t for combined transport (intermodal) under certain conditions; 60 t for abnormal loads with a special permit.

Axle load limits: steering axle 10 t; drive axle 11.5 t (or 13 t with twin tyres and air suspension); trailer axle 10 t.

Load distribution: heavier items at the bottom and over the axles; never exceed the axle load or MAM. Use the load distribution plan and weighbridge if unsure.

Securing methods: lashing (straps, chains), blocking, and direct securing. Use at least two lashing points per load; the lashing capacity (LC) must be at least the weight of the load times the acceleration factor (0.8 g forward, 0.5 g sideways, 0.5 g rearward).

Load must not obscure lights, reflectors, registration plates, or the driver's view. Overhanging loads must be marked with a red flag or reflective board (for rear overhang > 1 m).

Cargo must be covered if it can blow away or spill. Check load security after the first 10–20 km and at every stop.

Weighing: random checks at weighbridges; overload fines are calculated per tonne over the limit and can lead to prohibition of further driving.

Daily driving limit: 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours twice per week. Weekly driving limit: 56 hours. Two-week driving limit: 90 hours.

Break requirement: after 4.5 hours of driving, take a 45-minute break (may be split into 15 min + 30 min, in that order).

Daily rest: at least 11 hours (may be reduced to 9 hours three times between weekly rests). Weekly rest: at least 45 hours (may be reduced to 24 hours, with compensation taken before the end of the third following week).

Tachograph: digital tachograph records driving, other work, availability, and rest. Manual entries must be made for any period not recorded automatically.

Driver card: personal, non-transferable, valid for 5 years. Report loss or theft within 7 days to the issuing authority.

Record keeping: drivers must be able to produce records for the current day and the previous 28 days.

Working time (Road Transport Directive): average 48 hours per week over 4 months; maximum 60 hours in any single week if averaged over 4 months; night workers max 10 hours in 24.

Enforcement: tachograph data is downloaded by the operator (every 28 days for driver cards, 90 days for vehicle units) and checked by inspectors.

DR ABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation. Check for danger before approaching; do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger (fire, traffic).

Emergency numbers in Croatia: 112 (all emergency services), 192 (police), 193 (fire), 194 (ambulance).

Accident procedure: stop, switch on hazard lights, place warning triangle (50 m behind on normal roads, 150 m on motorways), call 112, exchange details, and do not leave the scene until permitted.

Severe bleeding: apply direct pressure with a clean cloth or dressing; elevate the limb if possible; do not remove embedded objects.

Unconscious but breathing: place in the recovery position (on the side, head tilted back) and monitor breathing until help arrives.

Not breathing: start CPR (30 chest compressions to 2 rescue breaths) at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute; use an AED if available.

Burns: cool with running water for at least 10 minutes; do not apply creams or ice; cover with a sterile non-stick dressing.

Shock: lay the person down, raise legs if no fracture, keep warm, and do not give food or drink.

Documentation: report the accident to the police within 24 hours if there is injury or significant damage; exchange insurance details with other parties.