The pleasures of driving overseas will be familiar to many startrescue.co.uk customers: the open road, the sense of adventure – and the sense of freedom.
Only when you get inexplicably pulled over by the police while abroad do those sensations of adventure and freedom suddenly seem rather distant.
The problem is often that we simply aren't aware of many overseas driving laws – laws that to us Brits might seem a bit silly.
But here are a few strange (but still enforced) rules you might want to take note of for your next road trip:
- Estonia: Motorists are not allowed to overtake a tram that has stopped to take on or drop off passengers.
- France: A DIY breathalyser must be carried in your car at all times.
- Cyprus: You cannot eat or drink while driving – the country operates a zero-tolerance policy on motoring mastication.
- Slovenia: You must not indicate when moving into a roundabout – only when exiting one.
- Belarus, Romania and Russia: You must not be driving a dirty car, or you could face an on-the-spot penalty.
- Italy: Glass wearers must carry a second pair in their vehicles.
- Italian authorities will also only let you carry one uncaged animal in your car!
- Portugal: You must not carry bicycles on the back of your vehicle.
- Spain: While driving you cannot wear flip-flops, shoes that are open at the front, backless shoes or high heels. And you cannot drive barefoot.
If you are caught…
If you do get pulled over unexpectedly, it’s a good idea to be calm and friendly. As a tourist you may be let off from a fine – entirely possible since penalties are often given at the police officer’s discretion.
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