Brits risk hefty fines when driving abroad for making these common mistakes

Daily Mirror

05-05-2025

With lots of happy holidaymakers hiring cars over the summer holidays, it's important to know the rules of the road in foreign countries to avoid being hit with expensive fines
Brits are urged to make sure they don't make these certain mistakes when it comes to driving abroad. The ease of hiring a car on holiday can make life much easier, and give Brits the chance to explore at their own pace but it can also come at an expensive cost if you break the rules.
There are rules drivers should all be aware of when it comes to driving in foreign countries to avoid risking some hefty fines. Driving rules can differ in countries, so it's important to be up to date with where you're visiting.
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From reflective vests to warning triangles and first aid kits, Greg Wilson, car insurance expert and CEO at Quotezone.co.uk said it's important to check the rules of the road before travelling.
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"While driving abroad is a great way to explore your destination, it's important for drivers not to assume that the road rules and regulations are the same as back home. It's worrying that a third of British motorists don't familiarise themselves with the local driving laws of the country they're visiting, as this can result in serious accidents as well as costly fines," he explained.
"From drink driving regulations and mandatory safety equipment to speed limit changes, there are a number of key differences to be aware of to prevent issues on the road. It's also important to remember that your insurance may not offer full coverage overseas, so make sure to double-check your policy and add extra cover if needed."
For example, in France, it's an offence not to have a high visibility vest for each traveller, and French law also states that the vest must be easily accessible in the cabin of the car and not stored away in the boot, so it can be worn to exit the vehicle in an emergency situation.
The experts also urge people to make sure their car insurance covers them when driving overseas, as not all policies can include international cover. It's likely it will need to be added as an extra or added to the hire car rental policy.
Here are 7 things to look out for when driving abroad...
Mandatory safety equipment
In some countries, cars must be equipped with mandatory safety items such as reflective vests, warning triangles and first aid kits. While rental cars often come with these items, it's crucial to check beforehand to ensure you're compliant with local laws.
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Drink drive limits
Drink driving regulations vary significantly across Europe. While the UK allows a blood alcohol content of up to 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres - in Scotland there's a zero tolerance policy - several European countries such as Hungary and Romania have a strict zero-tolerance policy too, and many popular holiday destinations like Spain, Portugal and Italy have a 50 mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood limit.
Road signs
Although road signs are largely standardised throughout Europe, there can still be slight differences in their design and meaning. Make sure you research local signage before driving to avoid confusion.
Speed limits
The main thing to remember is that the speed limits in Europe are given in kilometres per hour, not miles. It's especially important to be aware of speed limits in France as they change based on weather conditions - for example on motorways the limit is reduced from 130 km/h (81 mph) to 110 km/h (68 mph) in wet conditions. And, if you're visiting Germany, you can come across certain sections of the Autobahn that have no speed limit at all.
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Driving on the right side
Most European countries drive on the right-hand side of the road, which may feel unfamiliar to UK drivers. It's important for drivers to be careful when adjusting to driving on the other side, especially when it comes to navigating roundabouts and junctions - which can be particularly dangerous if you've driven over from the UK in your car and your steering wheel is on the right-hand side.
Tolls
Many European countries have a significant number of tolls on highways and motorways - for example France has over 90 tolls. Make sure you're prepared with cash or a credit card to pay tolls to avoid fines or additional charges.
Car insurance
Make sure you're fully insured when driving abroad, as not all policies include international coverage. Double check that your policy includes adequate protection for driving overseas and consider purchasing extra cover such as accident or breakdown to give you additional peace of mind.