Strange European driving rules you should be aware of Posted on 16 April 2019 Europe offers a host of different cultural experiences and it’s fairly easy to cross borders within the Euro zone. If you plan to hire a car or drive through Europe in a camper van you may want to take note of some of these road rules that differ from ours in South Africa. Some are reasonable, only different, while others are just plain bizarre. Cyprus Coastline, Cyprus. Image credit: Igor Starkov Enjoy snacking while you drive? Don’t be tempted in Cyprus, where it is illegal to munch while motoring and to drink anything while behind the wheel. It’s also illegal to lift your hands from the steering wheel unnecessarily. Portugal Lisbon, Portugal. Image credit: Diego Garcia If you wear glasses or contacts for driving, you must carry a spare or set pair in the car as well. Spain Castillo Gibralfaro, Málaga, Spain. Image credit: William de Vasconce You aren’t allowed to drive barefoot in Spain, nor are you allowed to drive wearing flip-flops, heels, or open-toed shoes – closed shoes are the mandatory dress code. Like Portugal, you’ll also need to carry a spare pair of specs/set of contacts if you wear glasses or contact lenses. Estonia Viru Bog, Estonia. Image credit: Maksim Shutov All cars here have to carry two wheel chocks to place behind your back wheels if you break down on a slope. Macedonia Skiing in Macedonia. Image credit:Christian ter Maat It makes sense that you shouldn’t be allowed to drive if your blood alcohol is over the legal limit but in Macedonia, not only is it illegal to drive inebriated, it’s also illegal to sit in the front passenger seat if you are drunk. Germany Berlin, Germany. Image credit: Luca Baracco In Germany road rules include politeness. According to ‘A German driver who insults another with gestures like tapping their finger against their head to indicate craziness, or raising the middle finger, gets five points in the central index of traffic offenders in addition to a hefty fine, sometimes as high as four figures.’ France Bridge in Paris. Image credit: Léonard Cotte It’s illegal to wear headphones while driving regardless of whether they are connected to a portable music device, your phone, or even unplugged. You are also required to carry your own breathalyser kit. In France, you are allowed a 0.02% blood alcohol level (in South Africa it’s 0.05%). Finland Pulkkilantie 946, Asikkala, Finland. Image credit: Taneli Lahtinen The speed limit drops from 120kph to 100kph on the highway between October and March, as the weather becomes worse and roads get wetter and icier. Bulgaria, Russia, Romania and Belarus Moscow, Russia. Image credit: Nikita Karimov You must wash your car when you enter Bulgaria and in Russia, Romania and Belarus it’s illegal to drive a dirty car, particularly if the licence plate is obscured by dirt. Related Posts Cape Town’s sustainability: Leading the way in environmental initiatives 1 June 2023 As National Environmental Month commences in South Africa, Cape Town stands proudly at the forefront... read more Kapama to host Safari Guide of the Year Awards 2023 1 June 2023 Kapama Private Game Reserve near Hoedspruit will host this year’s Safari Guide of the Year... read more Blood Lions relaunches for public viewing on YouTube 1 June 2023 Award-winning documentary feature film Blood Lions has been relaunched on YouTube for public viewing, creating... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
Cape Town’s sustainability: Leading the way in environmental initiatives 1 June 2023 As National Environmental Month commences in South Africa, Cape Town stands proudly at the forefront... read more
Kapama to host Safari Guide of the Year Awards 2023 1 June 2023 Kapama Private Game Reserve near Hoedspruit will host this year’s Safari Guide of the Year... read more
Blood Lions relaunches for public viewing on YouTube 1 June 2023 Award-winning documentary feature film Blood Lions has been relaunched on YouTube for public viewing, creating... read more