Driving holidays gained traction through the pandemic, with round 1.6 million folks estimated to have taken one all through Europe through the summer time of 2020 in keeping with analysis by the RAC.
Whereas the pandemic could have been partially liable for this rise, it doesn’t appear to be this journey development is dying out anytime quickly.
In actual fact, searches for ‘driving in Europe’ have elevated by almost 80 per cent prior to now two years, in keeping with Google Developments. With this got here the ‘vanlife’ growth, which alone noticed a 216 per cent enhance in searches between 2018 and 2021.
Should you’re planning a highway journey in Europe, it pays to be on high of the native driving legal guidelines – a few of which could shock you.
We requested journey skilled Simon Mawdlsey, co-founder of Grand Prix Grand Excursions – specialists in System 1 and MotoGP packages, in addition to luxurious driving holidays in Europe – for perception on probably the most surprising European driving legal guidelines that folks won’t concentrate on.
9. No youngsters within the entrance seat of the automobile
Should you’re planning on driving in Europe along with your little ones in tow, you must get clued up on the restrictions.
Solely youngsters over the peak of 1.35m are allowed to take a seat in a traditional seat with out the usage of a booster support in most nations. In some, nevertheless, youngsters are required to be even taller than this. In Germany and Italy, for instance, the minimal peak will increase to 150cm.
And it’s not simply peak you’ll want to contemplate. In some European nations, you’ll discover that youngsters are permitted to journey within the entrance, however with booster seats, whereas others, similar to Spain, don’t allow anybody under the age of 18 to journey within the entrance of a automobile.
“More often than not, booster seats want to fulfill particular EU necessities, so making certain that these are met earlier than travelling is a should to keep away from any last-minute stress,” advises Simon.
8. Know your velocity cameras out of your garbage bins
Nobody desires to get slapped with a rushing effective whereas they’re on vacation.
“Velocity cameras look completely different in all nations throughout Europe,’ says Simon.
“For instance, in Italy, velocity cameras will be massive and vivid orange. While it could sound prefer it’d seem apparent, they are often simply mistaken for a postbox or perhaps a brightly colored litter bin on the aspect of the highway.”
Looking for what velocity cameras you might encounter earlier than beginning your journey can prevent lots of stress and even a hefty effective.
7. Carry spare glasses within the automobile
You may be shocked to listen to that in France, Spain and Switzerland, glasses-wearers will need to have a second pair with them always whereas driving.
“There have been situations the place folks have been pulled over and requested to provide a second pair however, in failing to take action, have been slapped with an undesirable and, sadly, avoidable effective,” says Simon.
6. Pack a hearth extinguisher and breakdown equipment on your highway journey
In nations together with Belgium, Sweden, Denmark and Norway, it’s a requirement to have a hearth extinguisher in your automobile always.
One other surprising merchandise you might be requested to show, must you be pulled over while in Estonia, is that you’ve blocks of wooden or plastic that may be put below your automobile wheels to stop it from rolling backwards.
“Breakdown kits are additionally required in some European nations,” Simon provides.
5. No sipping water or snacking on the wheel
Used to sneaking a fast snack or having a small slurp whereas driving? You could possibly face some severe penalties for doing so in Cyprus.
The nation has fully banned drivers from consuming or ingesting whereas driving. This even contains ingesting water and you might face a hefty effective, or worse, when you fail to observe the nation’s rules.
4. Do not drink and drive
Everyone knows to not drink and drive, however authorized thresholds provide just a little leeway.
In Europe, these thresholds range broadly between nations, with some even forbidding you from ingesting completely if you’re to then get behind the wheel.
Denmark, for instance, won’t permit anybody to drive with a blood alcohol content material above 0.2 per cent and those that do will almost certainly face a lot worse than a effective. Poland has a fair stricter threshold, with anybody above 0.02 per cent blood alcohol content material dealing with a ban from driving and even jail.
However Simon reveals that some nations are stricter nonetheless. “Japanese Europe doesn’t tolerate any alcohol from being consumed while driving in any respect, with Romania, the Czech Republic and Hungary all fining or sentencing anybody with a blood alcohol degree above zero.”
So, relatively than considering you’ll be okay having a small glass with dinner earlier than driving to your relaxation cease for the night, you might wish to triple-check the drink-driving guidelines for the nation you’re in.
3. Maintain your automobile clear
“In sure nations, you might even get into hassle for the situation that your automobile is in,” reveals Simon. “And we’re not simply speaking in regards to the damaged lights or malfunctioning windscreen wipers.”
In Bulgaria and Belarus, it’s unlawful to drive a automobile that’s soiled. Whether or not you’ve a mucky licence plate or soiled home windows, ensuring that your car is saved clear is a necessity if any of those nations are in your listing of locations to go to.
Should you’re caught out, you may additionally discover that the legislation is open to interpretation by completely different visitors officers, so what you might contemplate not soiled could also be a legislation enforcer’s thought of borderline harmful.
2. Do not put on headphones whereas driving
It’s forbidden to make use of any headphones or earphones whereas driving in some nations in Europe.
France positioned a ban on all hands-free headsets and any gadgets emitting sound within the ear in 2015. These caught out can face a hefty effective and factors on their licence.
1. Examine for kids beneath your automobile
Whether or not you’re happening a quick journey or making a journey additional afield, you’re legally required to test your car’s engine earlier than each departure in Denmark. That is to make sure your car is secure earlier than you drive off.
The nation has one other rule which will simply shock you: it’s also a authorized requirement to test below your automobile earlier than you depart, to make sure that there are not any animals or youngsters hidden beneath.
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