Starting September 1, 2026, Slovak police will no longer need to stop your car to fine you for using a phone while driving. A camera will record the device in your hand, and a fine notice will automatically be sent to the car owner's address. The owner will have to pay the 249 euro fine, even if someone else was driving.
Until the new system is in place, the old rules apply, and the police are actively using them. Recently, local police in Bratislava conducted a special operation: they stopped drivers on highways who were not using hands-free devices. We explain how much it costs now and what will change in the fall.
What Fines Apply Today
The penalty amount depends on how the violation is recorded.
- On-the-spot fine (bloková pokuta) — up to 150 euros. This is the most common situation: a patrol officer stops you and issues a ticket immediately.
- Administrative proceeding — 60 to 300 euros. The case goes to this process if you do not agree with the on-the-spot fine or if the violation is more serious.
- Driving ban — for repeat or serious offenses, you can be banned from driving for up to two years.
Phone in Traffic Jam — Also a Violation
The Road Traffic Act defines the prohibition broadly: a driver is not allowed to hold a phone in their hand or operate it in any other way. The fine applies not only to talking on the phone near your ear — texting, social media, and even just holding the phone in your hand are also counted.
The most common mistake is thinking you can use your phone at a red light or in a traffic jam. You cannot. The law considers such a stop as part of driving the car, and the police fine for it just like for talking while driving. Only hands-free is legal, where your hands remain on the steering wheel.
What Will Change from September 1, 2026
An amendment to the law introduces so-called objective liability. Here's how it will work.
- Police do not stop the car. A stationary or mobile camera records the violation, the system recognizes the license plate — and that's it.
- Fixed fine of 249 euros. For violations recorded automatically, a single amount is set without a range.
- The car owner is responsible. The fine is sent by mail to the vehicle's registration address. The fact that someone else was driving, like your spouse or a colleague, does not exempt you from paying.
The specialized publication Autobazar describes the details of the new law's mechanics.
Three Such Violations — and You Go to the Doctor
Using a phone while driving is considered a serious traffic violation in Slovakia, not a minor one. If a driver accumulates three serious violations within 12 months, they will be sent for additional training, a knowledge test of the rules, and also for medical and psychological examinations.
What to Do Now
If you regularly drive on Slovak roads — especially the highways around Bratislava, where patrols are most frequent — you should make it a habit by September.
Install a holder on your dashboard or in the air vent and connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth or CarPlay. This is enough to formally use the device legally. If the car is not registered in your name — for example, it's a company car or bought for a relative — arrange with the owner in advance: starting in September, your phone in your hand will become their fine in their mailbox.
