Deposits & Payment 🛣️ Coastal Roads ⛰️ Mountain Passes 🚇 Sozina Tunnel ❄️ Winter (Nov–Apr) ☀️ Summer (Jul–Aug) 🌤️ Shoulder Season (May, Sep–Oct) Useful Resources for Driving in Montenegro Traffic Laws ⚠️ BAC 0.03% — much lower than UK (0.08%), US (0.08%), and AU (0.05%) limits. One glass of wine can put you over. Essentially zero tolerance. International Driving Permit (IDP) Where to Get 💡 Some local agencies accept Roman-alphabet licences without an IDP, but major suppliers (Sixt, Hertz, Europcar) will ask for one. Don't risk it — an IDP costs very little and takes minutes to get. Deposits & Payment Coverage Level Deposit Hold Card Required ⚠️ Debit cards are generally not accepted for the deposit pre-authorisation. Always bring a credit card to avoid problems at pickup. 💡 The deposit is a pre-authorisation (hold), not a charge. Your bank temporarily reserves the amount on your credit card. It's released after you return the car undamaged — typically within 5–14 business days. Compare deposit policies at Tivat Airport where most tourists pick up. Roads & Driving Conditions The Cetinje–Njeguši–Kotor serpentine (R-1) — the classic drive between the coast and the interior 🛣️ Coastal Roads Narrow, beautiful, and slow. The road through Kotor Bay villages is often single-lane with blind corners. Expect oncoming traffic — drive patiently. The drive from Tivat Airport is scenic but narrow. ⛰️ Mountain Passes Lovćen and Durmitor feature dramatic switchbacks. No guardrails in places. Use low gear on descents. Coaches are banned on the worst sections. 🚇 Sozina Tunnel €2.50 each way on the Podgorica–Bar route. Saves 30+ minutes compared to the old mountain road. Well-lit and maintained. Seasonal Driving ❄️ Winter (Nov–Apr) Winter tyres mandatory 1 November – 1 April by law. Rental cars should be equipped automatically, but confirm at pickup. Mountain passes may close temporarily. ☀️ Summer (Jul–Aug) Peak tourist traffic — coastal roads gridlock. Book automatic cars early (they sell out). Temperatures reach 35°C+ so ensure air conditioning works. Start drives early morning. 🌤️ Shoulder Season (May, Sep–Oct) Best driving conditions. Warm weather, manageable traffic, lower rental prices. Ideal for road trips around the coast and mountains. Border Crossings Always declare your border intent at pickup, get the cross-border document, and keep it with you during the trip. Without it, you may face issues at the border or with your insurance. Renting from Herceg Novi is the easiest starting point for Croatia trips. Unleaded 95, Premium 98, and diesel are widely available (~€1.50–1.70/litre). Stations are well-distributed on main roads but fewer in mountain areas — fill up before heading inland. ⛽ Check your fuel policy at pickup. Most suppliers use "full-to-full" — pick up full, return full. Keep your last fuel receipt as proof. Useful Resources for Driving in Montenegro