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Don't honk your horn by the hospital, and other bizarre driving rules



Where could overtaking a school bus get you into hot water? And which country requires drivers with glasses to always carry a spare pair? Driving abroad can be a minefield for the unprepared motorist, so here we round up essential information for staying safe and within the law when driving on the continent - as well as some of the quirkier local customs that can catch unsuspecting British drivers...


Driving abroad is increasingly popular, as the record number of vehicles that crossed from England to France via EuroTunnel this Easter shows.


On Good Friday alone more than 10,600 drove off the shuttle at Calais. Driving abroad offers you great flexibility and it should be adventurous and fun, providing you’re prepared.



Road to ruin: Brits driving abroad need to be aware of local laws.

There’s more to it than simply remembering which side of the road to drive on. For a start, the rules can differ from one country to the next. Drive in France and you’re required to pack a breathalyser kit. Cross the border to Spain and drivers who wear glasses must keep a spare set of specs on them.


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What to pack for hassle-free driving

To meet the basic requirements of most continental countries, you’ll need to pack a red warning

SOME MORE OBSCURE LOCAL DRIVING RULES...



Austria: Honking a horn is generally prohibited in Vienna and near hospitals.


Belgium: The minimum speed on motorways is 43 mph (70km/h).


Bosnia Herzegovina: It’s compulsory to carry a tow rope or bar.


Bulgaria: In one way streets parking is exclusively on the left .


Croatia: It’s compulsory to have a shovel during the winter.


Estonia: It’s compulsory to carry two wheel chocks (to put under a vehicles wheels when parked).


France: Most roundabouts have signs showing that traffic on the roundabout has priority. If there is no sign present, traffic joining from the right has priority.


Germany: Motorists can be fined for using abusive language or making derogatory signs


Overtaking a school bus that has it’s hazard lights on is prohibited.


Greece: The police are empowered to confiscate the number plates of illegally parked vehicles.


Holland: Buses have right of way when leaving bus stops in built-up areas.


Portugal: It is illegal to carry bicycles on the back of a passenger car.


Russia: It is forbidden to pick up hitchhikers


Spain: Drivers who wear glasses (and this is noted on their licence) must keep a spare set in their car.

Switzerland: It is unlawful to wash your car on a Sunday.

triangle, a reflective jacket for each passenger, spare light bulbs and a first aid kit. Wherever you go, make sure you have slapped on your GB sticker and applied stick-on headlight convertors so you won’t dazzle oncoming traffic at night.

The AA has vital information on specific countries’ requirements.
Don’t forget your travel documents

Standard motor insurance policies are adequate for driving abroad, but won’t necessarily include extras that you might prefer to have, such as cover for damaged or stolen cars.


If you want any extras on top of third-party protection, remember to ask your current insurer to quote for the additional cover.

Wherever you travel you’ll need to carry your insurance policy, vehicle registration documents and driving licence.


In the EU these documents will suffice, but elsewhere you may need a ‘green card’, which is a form of identification that your insurer can provide for free.

If you’re planning to drive outside of Europe, you’ll need an annual International Driving Permit, which can be purchased for £5.50 from the Post Office, the RAC or the AA.
Beware of local customs

There is a raft of local customs that might seem odd to us, but are best to be aware off when zipping along continental roads.


In Germany you’ll get into hot water if you overtake a school bus that has its hazard lights on, while in Spain your car could get towed away if you park on the wrong side of the road in some cities.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has produced a new tool, which tells you what you need to know when driving in different countries.

And then there are the road signs. Many are similar to our own, but not all will be familiar. According to a recent FCO survey, two fifths (40 per cent) of holidaymakers who drive abroad admit to not knowing the local highway codes. French rules on roundabouts are a case in point.



Signs stating ‘Vous n’avez pas la priorité’ or ‘Cédez le passage’ mean traffic on the roundabout has right of way. In theory, vehicles entering the roundabout have priority where these signs are absent, but many drivers ignore this rule, so watch out. Pick up a guide at your local book shop or order one online.
Safety rules for travelling with children

Different countries have their own rules on how to ensure children travel safely and it’s essential to know what these are.


In France, for instance, under 10s and kids less than 1.5metres tall must travel in an approved child seat or restraint system.


Further south, in Spain the same rules apply to under-12s and those less than 1.35metres in height.


Child trafficking: Child seats are compulsory even for older children in some countries.

But what about babies and toddlers? Again, the rules differ. For instance, in Norway and Ireland a very young child can’t travel up front in a rear-facing seat unless the airbag has been deactivated.


Tots can in Denmark, providing there is no airbag fitted, while in Portugal children can only travel in the front passenger seat if they are aged 12 or more and at least 1.5metres tall.

Presuming that the same rules apply across Europe and beyond could well come back to bite you, so check out the AA’s country-by-country guide for more information.


Of course, making a genuine mistake will probably not ruin your holiday in relation to most of the examples given here. But there’s one area where strict accordance with the law is a must.
What are the rules on alcohol limits?

The rules on drinking and driving are invariably tougher abroad than they are here. The UK limit for drivers is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, whereas it’s typically 50mg per 100ml (and often even less for new drivers) in the EU.
So, while you might feel a little more relaxed while abroad, the local police won’t take your holiday vibe into consideration if they decide to pull you over for a random breath test.

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