August is traditionally the busiest time of year for Brits heading off on their holidays. Hopping across the Channel to explore the continent by car remains a popular holiday choice. However, many of us aren’t aware of some of the more obscure laws that many European countries have.
This vast lack of knowledge has been highlighted by a Green Flag survey. It found that a staggering 81% of Brits don’t realise that speeding on the continent could result in a £640 fine dropping through the letterbox once we’re home.
What goes around apparently doesn’t come around
In days gone by, speeding in the EU wasn’t followed up. The process was just too complex. However, that’s all changed now. A new law, passed in May, allows EU authorities to access DVLA data, enabling them to track down your details and issue an official fine of up to £640.
The situation is being exacerbated by the survey’s next revelation: that 69% of UK motorists are putting their bank balances at risk because they don’t know how to convert speed from miles per hour to kilometres per hour.
Strangely, this new law though doesn’t apply to EU drivers caught speeding in the UK. As in Ireland, Austria, Spain and Germany, Britain operates a ‘driver liability system.’ This means that the responsibility for a breaking a driving law lies with the person behind the wheel at the time. In countries such as a France, however, it’s the vehicle owner who is ultimately responsible for any fine, no matter if they were driving or not. The net result is that our police are unable to go after EU drivers.
Know your laws
The issue of speeding on the continent only represents the tip of the iceberg. Over half a million UK drivers will risk facing prosecution for driving offences committed overseas during their holidays – and that’s just based on figures from just France! To avoid a sting in the tail on your return from the continent, here are some of the more obscure laws and regulations you could fall foul of when driving in Europe:
Rules of the road
When driving in Germany, you must ensure your car is fitted with winter tyres when conditions require them (not, as is commonly mis-stated, at certain times of the year). Also, make sure you don’t lose your rag while at the wheel in Germany; making obscene gestures or using foul language will get you fined if you’re caught.
In Spain, how to park in cities can confound even the most cosmopolitan of drivers. You are only able to park on certain sides of the road on certain days of the week. Confused? Head here to unravel the nightmare. Alternatively, enjoy cheap parking by heading to Belarus, which has no parking meters whatsoever.
Be careful what you drink…
Alcohol limits vary from country to country (click here for a full breakdown). Countries with particularly tough policies include Macedonia, where no front seat passenger should be visibly drunk. In Cyprus, be wary of consuming any drinks or food when at the wheel – such behaviour is banned and could incur a fine of €85.
Finally, in France, all drivers are required to carry a self-test breathalyser. However, don’t worry too much if you are caught without one; the fine is only £11 (if enforced in the first place). Of course, those wishing to comply with the letter of the law should actually carry two breathalysers – so that there’s still one available for use on your onward journey, even if you’re stopped and required to use one!
Odds and sods
Do you wear glasses or contact lenses when driving? Then make sure you have a backup pair in the car when motoring in Portugal, Spain or Switzerland. Motorists there are expected to carry spares at all times. Also, don’t soap down your car on a Sunday in Switzerland because it’s against the law.
In Portugal, you shouldn’t carry a can of petrol in your car (no matter how safely), as doing so is illegal. You’re also not allowed to strap bicycles to the back of your car.
Which obscure motoring laws have you fallen foul of while driving in Europe? What about further afield? Let us know in the comments section below.
When u get off the ferry in Northern Spain the crafty Spanish police lie in wait for unwary Brits at the other end of short tunnels as u drive westwards along the coastal highway. The reason being that u must have your headlights on even though they are lit up like Christmas trees and some r so short that u can see daylight at the other end as u enter. A few years ago the pole-faced miserable b******s flagged me down and slapped an £80 (I forget how many euros) on me! What a welcome to Spain! U would think for the sake of good will and tourism they would first give u a warning but they do not…..Must be a nice little earner for them.
I will never holiday there again!
Terry, Have to say that it’s common practice all over the world to turn on your lights through tunnels. That tunnel will have a big blue sign with a dipped headlight on it on approach to it. And another on exit reminding you to turn off your lights.
Are you going to moan about getting a fine in countries that require dipped lights all the time because you didn’t know? As that old saying says; “ignorance of the law is no excuse”.
I’m afraid this feature doesn’t help us understand what the problems are, it merely says there are some! Sadly, it just alarms us: it’s useless.
Hi Jeremy,
I agree with you that the article doesn’t provide any answers but it’s not useless. What it does do is highlight things that many drivers are clearly unaware of, and in doing so, affords those that are minded to do so, the opportunity to research the subject to their own satisfaction.
It is telling you to not speed. The problem is you are speeding and you should stop else you might get a fine…Simple. Tip, get a speed detector in your car, that way you can slow down when you see it bleeping. easy peasy, the police need 1 mile to confirm your speed and the detector will tell you to apply breaks asap and waller no fine…lol
Been driving through France to Spain with a caravan for about 20+ year, only fine I’ve had to date is for parking. If you have it, set your lights to automatic they work in even the shortest of tunnels. I’ve herd some horrendous stories of people driving through sleepy villages at dead of night being stopped for speeding and being taken miles out of their way to a hole in the wall to pay a fine.
I think the French etc. are getting at us now due to Brexit. They seem to be picking on caravaners in Calais at the moment for weight limits and for not having equipment like breath tester, triangles and can you put on your yellow jacket without getting out of the car!
Speed trap detectors are illegal in France.
The Police only need a few yards to get your speed. Look at the speed markings on the road. A proper satnav will convert the speed into mph or use the kpm scale on your speedo. Simples!
Isn’t just typical EU countries can impose fines on UK drivers for speeding and the DVLA just lets them have the details. However, if you are a French or other EU citizen as usual we do nothing.! Let’s hope when we leave the EU this is either repealed or the equivalent system imposed. However, I for one will not be holding my breath.
British motorists have always just been seen as cash cows particularly in France and Spain for even the smallest infringement Why do we always give in ?.
Britain has been a soft touch for European drivers for decades. 30 years ago a foreign HGV side swiped me sending me into the central crash barrier of a dual carriageway and carried on his way but the police who attended told me they would not stop him even though a witness got his number – apparently they only pursued when an injury had been caused ! And here we are 30 years later and nothing seems to have changed – European drivers (who of course never can speak English) are able to break our driving laws with apparent impunity.
Hopefully when we get out of the EU we can take serious action against these law-breakers.
No Peter, it’s not typical – it’s a natural consequence off different legal systems.
I’m not quite sure you know who to complain about, however… The (sic) DVLA, or Jonny Foreigner. I suspect you’re just a typical serial complainer.
Who are you going to whinge about when we’ve left the EU? Ever thought of that?
Beware – this article is out of date and incomplete!
For example, on French breathalysers, there is currently no fine for not having them (the law was rushed and there were supply problems, so in 2013 the €11 penalty was suspended indefinitely).
But there is now a requirement to display a clean air certificate if you drive in certain French cities; it costs €4.80, and fines for non-compliance range from €68 to €135
Watch out for the M50 around Dublin where one stretch is a “barrier free toll road” but only between junction 6 & 7.
I didn’t know it was there and on return to England had a fine and a second finr for not paying the toll. The tourist body admitted it was unfair as there is little signing to warn drivers and did get the second fine dropped.
In case you are not aware, you cannot wear flip flops whilst driving in Spain and if you are stopped and asked to step out of you vehicle; put your high vis jacket on first, The Spanish police will fine you if you get out to put your jacket on. I always hang my HV jackets on my seat so that it can be seen by lurking cops, especially leaving Calais!!
I goy caught speeding once in Belgium. Its an on the spot fine. As I never had the money on me I had three policemen in bikes escort me to a garage to withdraw them none. I ask, what if I did not have the money, I was told they would take my car, which was at the time a Lexus. I explained its a company car, which made no difference. I stupidly asked, well, how would I get home, only to be told, its my problem !! the fine was £120
So basically good riddance to the EU, the reason they’re so p..d off with us is that they have lost one of their main paymasters who subsidise the rest of the continent. Thank God for Brexit; btw did anyone else notice how He who orders the designs of man maneuvered the three perfect people into position to get the job done. Cameron the Arrogant, Corbyn the Ineffective and Nigel the Unbending, and then when the job was accomplished, thanks fellas, you can go now, DC and NF gone (come back Nigel we still need an honest politician) and Corbyn despite the ignorance of the young supporters will never get power so long as us oldies have a brain between our ears and get off our backsides and vote. Viva la revolution ! oops that’s French – ah well – can’t have it all . . . . 🙂 🙂
The Breathalyser requirement in France was cancelled by President Hollande because Sarkozy had pushed it through to law and the company that made them was connected to Sarkozy.
I received an on the spot fine for leaving a petrol station and not having my headlights on just inside the Polish border. I tried to explain in my pigeon Polish my lights were on automatic and as it was sunny they hadn’t come on but to no avail, I still got fined.Yet how many Polish drivers working in this country have no tax or insurance? It became such a big problem the British police had to ask help from the Polish authorities.
It’s also illegal in many European countries to have dash cams as personal privacy comes above safety in these countries.
Get real EU Tom. As Peter says, It IS typical that in your glorious EU laws only work one way.
What will we whinge about when we leave the EU you ask ?
With people like you and your friend Mr Hammond the question is IF we ever leave the EU!
When u get off the ferry in Northern Spain the crafty Spanish police lie in wait for unwary Brits at the other end of short tunnels as u drive westwards along the coastal highway. The reason being that u must have your headlights on even though they are lit up like Christmas trees and some r so short that u can see daylight at the other end as u enter. A few years ago the pole-faced miserable b******s flagged me down and slapped an £80 (I forget how many euros) on me! What a welcome to Spain! U would think for the sake of good will and tourism they would first give u a warning but they do not…..Must be a nice little earner for them.
I will never holiday there again!
Terry, Have to say that it’s common practice all over the world to turn on your lights through tunnels. That tunnel will have a big blue sign with a dipped headlight on it on approach to it. And another on exit reminding you to turn off your lights.
Are you going to moan about getting a fine in countries that require dipped lights all the time because you didn’t know? As that old saying says; “ignorance of the law is no excuse”.
I’m afraid this feature doesn’t help us understand what the problems are, it merely says there are some! Sadly, it just alarms us: it’s useless.
Hi Jeremy,
I agree with you that the article doesn’t provide any answers but it’s not useless. What it does do is highlight things that many drivers are clearly unaware of, and in doing so, affords those that are minded to do so, the opportunity to research the subject to their own satisfaction.
It is telling you to not speed. The problem is you are speeding and you should stop else you might get a fine…Simple. Tip, get a speed detector in your car, that way you can slow down when you see it bleeping. easy peasy, the police need 1 mile to confirm your speed and the detector will tell you to apply breaks asap and waller no fine…lol
Been driving through France to Spain with a caravan for about 20+ year, only fine I’ve had to date is for parking. If you have it, set your lights to automatic they work in even the shortest of tunnels. I’ve herd some horrendous stories of people driving through sleepy villages at dead of night being stopped for speeding and being taken miles out of their way to a hole in the wall to pay a fine.
I think the French etc. are getting at us now due to Brexit. They seem to be picking on caravaners in Calais at the moment for weight limits and for not having equipment like breath tester, triangles and can you put on your yellow jacket without getting out of the car!
Speed trap detectors are illegal in France.
The Police only need a few yards to get your speed. Look at the speed markings on the road. A proper satnav will convert the speed into mph or use the kpm scale on your speedo. Simples!
Isn’t just typical EU countries can impose fines on UK drivers for speeding and the DVLA just lets them have the details. However, if you are a French or other EU citizen as usual we do nothing.! Let’s hope when we leave the EU this is either repealed or the equivalent system imposed. However, I for one will not be holding my breath.
British motorists have always just been seen as cash cows particularly in France and Spain for even the smallest infringement Why do we always give in ?.
Britain has been a soft touch for European drivers for decades. 30 years ago a foreign HGV side swiped me sending me into the central crash barrier of a dual carriageway and carried on his way but the police who attended told me they would not stop him even though a witness got his number – apparently they only pursued when an injury had been caused ! And here we are 30 years later and nothing seems to have changed – European drivers (who of course never can speak English) are able to break our driving laws with apparent impunity.
Hopefully when we get out of the EU we can take serious action against these law-breakers.
No Peter, it’s not typical – it’s a natural consequence off different legal systems.
I’m not quite sure you know who to complain about, however… The (sic) DVLA, or Jonny Foreigner. I suspect you’re just a typical serial complainer.
Who are you going to whinge about when we’ve left the EU? Ever thought of that?
Beware – this article is out of date and incomplete!
For example, on French breathalysers, there is currently no fine for not having them (the law was rushed and there were supply problems, so in 2013 the €11 penalty was suspended indefinitely).
But there is now a requirement to display a clean air certificate if you drive in certain French cities; it costs €4.80, and fines for non-compliance range from €68 to €135
Watch out for the M50 around Dublin where one stretch is a “barrier free toll road” but only between junction 6 & 7.
I didn’t know it was there and on return to England had a fine and a second finr for not paying the toll. The tourist body admitted it was unfair as there is little signing to warn drivers and did get the second fine dropped.
In case you are not aware, you cannot wear flip flops whilst driving in Spain and if you are stopped and asked to step out of you vehicle; put your high vis jacket on first, The Spanish police will fine you if you get out to put your jacket on. I always hang my HV jackets on my seat so that it can be seen by lurking cops, especially leaving Calais!!
I goy caught speeding once in Belgium. Its an on the spot fine. As I never had the money on me I had three policemen in bikes escort me to a garage to withdraw them none. I ask, what if I did not have the money, I was told they would take my car, which was at the time a Lexus. I explained its a company car, which made no difference. I stupidly asked, well, how would I get home, only to be told, its my problem !! the fine was £120
So basically good riddance to the EU, the reason they’re so p..d off with us is that they have lost one of their main paymasters who subsidise the rest of the continent. Thank God for Brexit; btw did anyone else notice how He who orders the designs of man maneuvered the three perfect people into position to get the job done. Cameron the Arrogant, Corbyn the Ineffective and Nigel the Unbending, and then when the job was accomplished, thanks fellas, you can go now, DC and NF gone (come back Nigel we still need an honest politician) and Corbyn despite the ignorance of the young supporters will never get power so long as us oldies have a brain between our ears and get off our backsides and vote. Viva la revolution ! oops that’s French – ah well – can’t have it all . . . . 🙂 🙂
The Breathalyser requirement in France was cancelled by President Hollande because Sarkozy had pushed it through to law and the company that made them was connected to Sarkozy.
I received an on the spot fine for leaving a petrol station and not having my headlights on just inside the Polish border. I tried to explain in my pigeon Polish my lights were on automatic and as it was sunny they hadn’t come on but to no avail, I still got fined.Yet how many Polish drivers working in this country have no tax or insurance? It became such a big problem the British police had to ask help from the Polish authorities.
It’s also illegal in many European countries to have dash cams as personal privacy comes above safety in these countries.
Get real EU Tom. As Peter says, It IS typical that in your glorious EU laws only work one way.
What will we whinge about when we leave the EU you ask ?
With people like you and your friend Mr Hammond the question is IF we ever leave the EU!