Driving abroad can be an adventure for all, but it will only be a joyful adventure if drivers are fully prepared. Below, we have put together a basic guide that demonstrates drivers need to simply know more than what side of the road they are expected to drive on. Many European countries have local customs that British drivers need to be fully aware off.
Aequitas Automotive are proud partners of the official
'Know Before You Go' campaign run by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. This provides a wealth of information and advice to travellers of all kinds, and helps you prepare thoroughly for your trip.
In Austria: Honking a horn is generally prohibited near hospitals and in the capital, Vienna.
In Belgium: The minimum speed on motorways is 43 mph. Good luck to all those British drivers out there!
In Bosnia Herzegovina: It is compulsory for a vehicle to carry a tow rope or bar.
In Bulgaria: Parking is exclusively on the left hand side in all one way streets.
In Croatia: It is compulsory to have a shovel in the vehicle during the winter.
In Estonia: It is compulsory to carry two wheel chocks in the vehicle, for drivers to put under the vehicle wheels when parked.
In France: The majority of roundabouts have signs showing that traffic on the roundabout has priority. If there is no sign present, traffic joining from the right has priority
In Germany: Drivers can be fined for using abusive language or making derogatory signs. Again, good luck to those British drivers out there!
In Greece: The police have the power to remove a
vehicles number plate if they are
illegally parked. If this was the case in Britain, there would be many vehicles without number plates on the roads!
In Portugal: It is illegal to carry bicycles on the back of a passenger car.
In Russia: It is forbidden for drivers to pick up hitchhikers
In Spain: Drivers who wear glasses must keep a spare set in their vehicle. This is also noted on their driving license.
In Switzerland: It is unlawful to wash your car on a Sunday.