This Wikipedia article<\/a> contains a list of links for the relevant authorities.<\/p>\nThere are no countries in Europe where it’s permitted to drive using a hand-held cellphone.<\/p>\n
As you will be used to driving on the left, only the UK or Malta will be familiar to you, but there are plenty of idiosyncrasies about driving there – see our list below.<\/p>\n
You will need to bring your driver licence and passport when renting a car. Many rental agencies also require proof of a return flight.<\/p>\n
Countries with a blood alcohol limit of zero<\/h2>\n
Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Estonia and Hungary all have zero limits for all drivers.<\/p>\n
Italy has a zero limit for drivers under 21, or for the first 3 years after getting a licence.<\/p>\n
Germany has a zero limit for drivers under 22, or drivers who have only had a licence for up to 2 years.<\/p>\n
Macedonia has a zero limit for drivers in their first two years after getting a licence.<\/p>\n
Countries likely to put you in jail for driving even a bit over the blood alcohol limit<\/h2>\n
If you want to see what a Danish prison looks like, try driving with a blood alcohol level of more than 0.2%. The same applies to Poland which metes out 2-year prison sentences if drivers are above 0.05%.<\/p>\n
Countries with only 0.2% blood alcohol limit<\/h2>\n
Poland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Turkey, Holland (first 5 years after getting a licence), Portugal (first 3 years after getting a licence) Ukraine and Latvia (first 2 years after getting a licence. In some of these countries the same limits apply when riding a push bike.<\/p>\n
Albania<\/h2>\n
A first aid kit is compulsory, and the maximum blood alcohol level is 0.01%<\/p>\n
Austria<\/h2>\n
A sign showing a bugle with a red line through it means that you must not use your car horn.<\/p>\n
Belgium<\/h2>\n
Some one-way streets allow cyclists to travel both ways, so don’t get confused in your car.<\/p>\n
Bulgaria<\/h2>\n
It’s mandatory to wash your car upon entry into the country. Belarus and Russia have the same rule, and it’s technically illegal to drive a dirty car.<\/p>\n
It’s illegal to use your horn for anything other than avoiding a road accident – don’t toot your friends goodbye.<\/p>\n
You can only park on the left in one-way streets.<\/p>\n
The motorway speed limit is 140kph! (Poland has the same speed limit)<\/p>\n
Cyprus<\/h2>\n
Eating or drinking anything while you are driving is against the law. If you are driving in a residential neighbourhood or near a hospital, you must not use your car horn.<\/p>\n
England<\/h2>\n
Watch out for annoyingly frequent changes of speed limit between 20, 30 and 40mph in residential areas.<\/p>\n
You can park on either side of the road (i.e. facing traffic)<\/p>\n
There are speed cameras everywhere.<\/p>\n
The speed limit on dual carriageways and motorways is 70mph (112kph), or 60mph (96mph) on single carriageways, unless otherwise signposted.<\/p>\n
Estonia<\/h2>\n
In a rule that alludes to the quality of the Estonian vehicle fleet, all safety kits must include at least two wheel chocks to ensure you can stop your car on a slope if you break down.<\/p>\n
There’s a zero blood alcohol limit.<\/p>\n
Finland<\/h2>\n
Between October and March the motorway speed limit drops by 20kph to 100kph.<\/p>\n
You must use headlights all the time. This rule also applies to Sweden, Norway and Iceland.<\/p>\n
You must only park on the right-hand side of the road, and on some days parking is not allowed because the streets are being cleaned.<\/p>\n
France<\/h2>\n
You must not use any type of headphones, even with your phone.<\/p>\n
The BAC is 0.02% and you must always travel with a breathalyser in your car.<\/p>\n
Watch out for speed cameras that work in both directions.<\/p>\n
You must not park closer than 5m to a pedestrian crossing.<\/p>\n
You must carry spare headlight bulbs. If a driver flashes their lights at you it’s because they are going first – it’s not an invitation for you to go first.<\/p>\n
Germany<\/h2>\n
Winter tyres are required at certain times of the year.<\/p>\n
Greece<\/h2>\n
You’re not allowed to smoke while driving.<\/p>\n
Iceland<\/h2>\n
Two-wheel drive rental cars are not allowed on F roads – you can take your own car on F roads, though.<\/p>\n
You must not drive off the boundary of the road; this is to protect flora and fauna.<\/p>\n
Macedonia<\/h2>\n
Front seat passengers must not be visibly under the influence of alcohol.<\/p>\n
Malta<\/h2>\n
Indicating when you change lanes isn’t compulsory<\/p>\n
Serbia<\/h2>\n
Again, alluding to how rubbish the general vehicle fleet is, all Serbian vehicles must carry a tow bar and three metres of rope.<\/p>\n
Spain<\/h2>\n
If a road has no yellow lines it means no parking. In one-way streets you can only park on the side of the road where houses have even numbers on even numbered days of the month, and vice versa.<\/p>\n
You must not use headphones while driving.<\/p>\n
Cyclists always have right of way.<\/p>\n
Switzerland<\/h2>\n
You must not wash your car on Sundays. Picking up hitchhikers is illegal (the same rule applies in Russia).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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