Advice for Driving Abroad
With the holiday season firmly underway, there has been plenty of advice for those travelling abroad. However I came across this information about the most unusual European motor legislation. It makes compulsory reading!
In France and Spain, you can park on one side of the street from the 1st to 15th of each month, then on the other side for the rest of the month. Check the calendar - odd and even days mean different parking arrangements in some areas of Spain.
Cruise control is illegal on Belgian motorways and the speed limits are lower on the motorways compared to France and Germany. Sticking your fingers up and making gestures at other motorists in Germany means you could pay an on the spot fine.
Should you need to get out of your vehicle on the Italian motorway, you need to wear a reflective jacket or you could be paying a police fine if they spot you without one.
No speed limits in Germany on the autobahn? Wrong. Since April 2008, there is now a speed limit of 79.5mph in Bremen. You can be fined for running out of fuel in Germany on the autobahns.
LPG cars are not allowed on the Channel Tunnel trains and LPG gas stations can be hard to locate in Spain, Switzerland and Italy. GB boot stickers are not applicable now in most European countries if you have the 12 star European flag logo on your number plate, however the sticker will still apply if you go though Switzerland.
It is compulsory to have an attachment for the headlights of your car to stop light shining in to oncoming vehicles. Most cars are able to have a sticker placed on the light to correct this and others have the ability to alter the lights to European use automatically.
If travelling in the Republic of Ireland, distances and speed are measured now in metric so signs are in kilometres not miles. Happy Holiday Motoring
Jackie Violet – Female First