European Driving Laws

European driving laws can be as confusing as quantum physics, so it is worth brushing- up on the basics before heading to the great unknown. According to DriveAlive - the 'one- stop website with everything you need for your self-drive motoring holiday' - there are a few specific considerations in dear old France. You must use headlamp converters, for example, and carry a visibility vest and warning triangle. It is recommended that you also have spare bulbs and a first aid kit. The minimum driving age is eighteen, and French officers issue on the spot fines for traffic violations. They are particularly 'hot' on speeding.

There are a few things to remember in the Netherlands too. Children under twelve, and less than one and a half meters tall, cannot travel in the front of vehicles without child specific restraints. Furthermore, the drink driving limit is far lower than in the United Kingdom, specifically 0.5mg/ml compared to 0.8mg/ml. In Germany, it is a requirement to pack a first aid kit, and the authorities advise motorists to carry snow chains in the winter. The Police can prevent you continuing the journey without them if the road conditions are bad enough.

There are numerous specific, and potentially confusing, laws for each European country. It is clearly far better to research these before flashing blue lights appear in your rear-view mirror. Speaking to a friend with the relevant local driving experience can cut-through the confusion, and maximise the chance of having a trouble-free adventure. Happy holidays.

By Stephen Turvil, motoring.co.uk

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