12 bizarre European driving laws to watch out for this summer
It’s that time of the year, where the weather can still be bleak at times, but the spring is shortly arriving. It’s also the time of the year where a lot of us are looking to make plans for our customary summer break. For some, it’s a flight to a beach resort somewhere hot and sunny. For others, it’s about hitching up your caravan and going for a road-trip across Europe.
Unfortunately though, whilst a road is still a road in Europe as it is in Britain, the way our European neighbours use them, and the laws governing them are somewhat different, and could potentially catch the unwary or unprepared motorist out. Here’s some of the more unusual European driving laws you could encounter on a European road-trip.
France
France is often the first country you will roll into, usually off of the ferry. French traffic police are notoriously fastidious and their driving laws are no different. Whilst most drivers are aware of the requirement to retro-fit headlight deflectors, and alterations to the registration plate, you might not realise that it is now law for all drivers to carry their own breathalyser, amongst other items.
Germany
Whilst driving in Germany is usually a fairly straight-forward matter, if you’re looking to drive in Germany between October and March, you will be required to fit winter tyres to your vehicle. Watch out too, if you get annoyed behind the wheel, as abusive language or derogatory gestures carry a motoring fine.
Spain
Driving in Spain is definitely an experience, but there are still unusual rules and customs to watch out for. For example, if you wear glasses whilst driving, you’ll be expected to carry an additional set in the car. More bizarrely, in some Spanish cities cars must be parked on different sides of the road, depending on the day.
Scandinavia
You may have noticed that cars from a particular car manufacturer from Sweden always have their headlights on-day or night. There’s a reason. In Scandinavian countries, it is illegal to not have your headlights on, whether its day or night.
Other weird laws
There are a host of more bizarre rules across Europe. In Belarus for example, it’s illegal to drive a dirty car. In Serbia, it is compulsory to carry certain equipment in the car including a tow-bar, and a 3m rope. Finally, in Russia it’s illegal to pick up hitchhikers.
When you’re planning your European road-trip this year, make sure that you’re aware of the rules of the road in the country you’re driving in. Make sure too, that your insurance company is aware of your trip, and any limitations in cover. If you’re in real doubt that your insurance company doesn’t cover you for what you need, from Car Insurance to Caravan Insurance, Campervan Insurance and even Motorhome Insurance, then give The Insurance Factory a call.