Summer Holidays with Your Own Car – European Rules You Need to Know
Going on holiday in your own car is a great way to save money. Not only does it save you the hassle and cost of hiring a car, you can also take a lot more luggage with you than with a rental car.
However, driving in Europe isn’t as simple as remembering whether to drive on the left or right — each country has different rules you need to know. Many countries have lists of items you must have in your car to avoid being fined. To help you plan your holiday, we have compiled some rules and recommendations you need to know when driving in Europe.
AUSTRIA
What you must have in your car:
- Warning triangle;
- First aid kit in a sturdy container;
- A reflective vest for the driver to wear in case of an accident.
Your car must have winter tyres from 1 November to 15 April.
You must purchase a sticker (vignette) for using motorways. They can be purchased at any petrol stations near the border. The validity period of such a sticker varies: for 10 days – costs approximately 9 euros, for 2 months – costs approximately 26 euros, and for a year – costs 86 euros. You will be fined 120 euros if you do not have such a sticker.
Video recorders and radar detectors are not allowed in Austria.
The use of a horn is prohibited in Austrian cities.
It is mandatory to create an emergency corridor when traffic jams occur on motorways or two-way highways, regardless of how close or far the emergency vehicles are.
BELGIUM
What you must have with you in your car:
- Reflective vest in case of an accident or emergency stop when parking is not allowed;
- Warning triangle;
- It is highly recommended that you have a first aid kit and A fire extinguisher, as it is compulsory for Belgian citizens.
Antwerp is considered a low emission zone, so there are restrictions on cars with a petrol engine older than 20 years and diesel engines older than 15 years. Offenders face a fine of €125.
The use of cruise control is prohibited on congested motorways and on some motorways during road works.
Most ring roads have signs indicating that vehicles traveling around the roundabout have priority. If there is no sign (there are very few roundabouts), traffic from the right has priority.
Any stationary vehicle must have its engine switched off.
A car navigation system with maps showing the location of speed cameras is permitted. Equipment that actively searches for such cameras or interferes with police equipment is prohibited.
FRANCE
What you must have in your car:
- Warning triangle;
- Snow chains on your wheels, which must be fitted on snow-covered roads in accordance with local road signs;
- At least one reflective vest inside your car;
- One unused breathing apparatus, which must not be expired or damaged.
Parts of Paris, Grenoble and Lyon have been declared low emission zones and require you to carry an eco-sticker CRIT-Air. You can apply in advance and receive it before your trip. The fine for not having one is 68 euros.
It is recommended to have a spare set of light bulbs.
You must not use headphones or a hands-free headset or any device attached to your ear while driving.
You must not use the horn in densely populated and built-up areas, except in cases of immediate danger.
Any GPS navigation system with maps showing the location of speed cameras must be switched off.
It is prohibited to overtake a tram that has stopped when disembarking or loading passengers at stops.
GERMANY
What you must have in your car:
- Winter tires, which must be used in winter;
- It is recommended to have a warning triangle (warning triangle), as it is obligatory for German citizens;
- It is also recommended to have a spare set of bulbs;
If you have a GPS or other navigation system that can show the location of speed cameras, this equipment must be switched off.
A bus with passengers that is stopped at a bus stop may be overtaken, but with extra caution and at a walking speed of no more than 7 km/h.
IRELAND
It is not obligatory to have any equipment or objects.
You may not use the horn between 11:30 and 7:00.
Some level crossings have manual gates that you must open and close yourself.
M50 Dublin is a toll road without stopping to pay, so you need to take care in advance to pay at any shop or petrol station before 8 pm the next day.
ITALY
What you must have in your car:
- Warning triangle;
- Reflective vests for drivers and passengers – everyone must wear them in case of a breakdown;
- Snow chains (or winter tyres), which must be used from 15 October to 15 April.
In the centre of Milan, there is a charge for air pollution from exhaust fumes on weekdays.
You must not use your horn in built-up areas, except in cases of immediate danger. In many historic centres and large cities, traffic is restricted from entering areas known as “Limited Traffic Zones” or “ZTLs”, where traffic is only permitted for residents of that city.
NORWAY
What you must have in your car:
- Warning triangle;
- Reflective vests in the car. You must wear them even if you or your passenger simply need to get out of the car on the road;
- Winter equipment – winter tires or snow chains;
- It is also recommended to have a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher and a set of spare bulbs.
Dipped headlights must be on during the day.
If you are towing a caravan, you are required to have special widened rear-view mirrors. You will have to pay a toll on some country roads, bridges and tunnels, as well as on city roads in Bergen, Haugesund, Kristiansand, Oslo, Stavanger, Tønsberg and Trondheim. You must pay in advance at the nearest petrol stations.
You must always give way to trams.
PORTUGAL
What you must have in your car:
- Reflective vest;
- ID card with your photo;
- Temporary Electronic Toll Device (DEM) or prepaid tolls;
- Warning triangle for use in the event of an accident or breakdown.
You are not allowed to carry bicycles in the back of your car – they must be secured to a roof rack unless the overall height exceeds 4 m.
Dashcams are not permitted in Portugal. You should not use studded tires or winter tires. It is prohibited to use your horn in built-up areas at night, except in cases of immediate danger.
SPAIN
What you must have in your car:
- Spare wheel and tools for changing it;
- You must have your driving licence, car documents and insurance with you;
- Warning triangle – one should be compulsory, but two are recommended as police can fine you for using only one in the event of an accident or breakdown;
- Reflective vest – anyone getting out of a car on a motorway, main road or any busy road must wear a vest;
- If you wear glasses, you must carry a spare A couple.
If you are transporting one or more bicycles in the back of your vehicle, you must fit a 50 x 50 cm reflector, which you can buy at a caravan or motorhome accessories shop.
You must not use your vehicle’s horn in urban areas except in an emergency, but you may flash your headlights.
The use of snow chains is recommended in appropriate conditions – the police may stop you if you do not. Such chains are generally used from November to March.
If you use the phone while driving, your hands must be completely free while doing so. You must not use headphones or a hands-free device while driving. You can be fined €200 if you are caught.
In some Spanish cities, you can park on one side of the road or the other, depending on what day of the week it is. And on some one-way streets, on even days of the month, you can only park on the side where the houses with even numbers are located. If the day is odd, then you need to park on the opposite side.
,
VEBER-AUTO Car Service
194044, St. Petersburg
Neyshlotsky Lane, Building 5, Block 3
District: Vyborgsky
Metro: Vyborgskaya – 800 m.
,
Seven days a week, from 9:00 to 21:00.
,
sto@veberauto.ru
,
8 (812) 321-00-00
