Serbia Vehicle Registration Process

The Process Of Registering An Imported Vehicle In Serbia

Any type of vehicle brought into Serbia, be it a car, truck, or motorcycle, must be registered within 30 days of being brought into the country. (This information applies to cars imported to Serbia permanently; see below for information on temporary imports.)

Temporary Car abroad

A vehicle can be imported into Serbia temporarily if it is under six years old and you’ll be in the country for at least three months. To qualify for a temporary car registration, you will have had to own it for at least six months.

If you’re bringing a car into the country for temporary use, you will need an international driving permit and your valid U.S. driver’s license. The temporary driving permit is good for six months, after which you must apply for a local driver’s license.

Required Documents For Permanent Moving & Sign-up

You’ll need to present the following documents to a hauler office to register a car locally in Serbia:

• Proof of ownership
• Current registration from home country (with translation)
• Proof of local residency
• Current valid Visa
• Technical inspection paperwork
• Proof of customs clearance
• Translated foreign vehicle registration

Visit our international transport page for Serbia if you’re considering shipping a vehicle to the country! You’ll find many of your questions answered there, as well as several tips and links to helpful information!

Driving & Car Sign-on Resources

If your only experience driving is in the United States, you may be in for a rude awakening when you get behind the wheel in Serbia. The rules are often treated more as suggestions, and the roads are not always smooth and well-paved. Here’s what you’ll need to know about driving in the country, as well as some helpful resources for registering your imported vehicle.

Driving In Balkan countries

Driving a car in Serbia can be challenging, especially if you’re used to U.S. road conditions and driving norms. Many of the roads in Balkan country would be considered in “poor” condition by U.S. standards, especially if weather becomes a factor.

One of the busiest and most dangerous roads in Balkan country is Ibarska magistrala. As with other roads in the country, poor weather and crowded rush hours can make the roads that are difficult to drive even more dangerous than normal during those circumstances. It should also be noted that traffic signs are not followed in the same way in Serbia as in the U.S.: you should not expect the same adherence to road laws.

Car Resources

U.S. Embassy in Serbia—This is a comprehensive informational portal for Americans visiting or moving to Serbia who will be driving or registering a vehicle. There’s also a section about driving in Serbia and the permits required.

Institute for Standardization of Serbia - This is one of the main offices you’ll need to contact if you’re importing a car and the primary resource you should use to determine current rules and regulations for imports and registration.

Call or email us today if you need more information about shipping a vehicle overseas, or if you’d like a FREE cost estimate! We’re happy to offer complimentary price quotes to all interested parties!