Tips for driving in Europe

23rd February 2026

Tips for driving in Europe

  • Familiarise yourself with the local traffic laws and customs before driving in Europe.
  • Drive on the right side of the road in most European countries.
  • Always carry your driver’s license, registration, and insurance documents with you.
  • Use your headlights at all times and always wear your seatbelt.
  • Be prepared to encounter roundabouts, which are common in Europe.
  • Watch out for bicyclists and pedestrians, as they have the right of way in many European cities.
  • Be aware of speed limits, which may be lower than in your home country.
  • Be prepared to pay tolls on some roads.
  • Be prepared to drive in a variety of conditions, including winding roads, steep inclines, and narrow streets.
  • Remember that some countries have strict blood alcohol limit, don’t drink and drive. Read more on alcohol levels
  • If you’re planning to rent a car, check with the rental company about any additional fees for crossing national borders or for additional drivers.

 

Fill up before you return to the UK

Fuel prices can vary depending on the country and location within Europe. Generally, fuel prices in Europe are higher than in the United States but lower than in the UK. However, this can also vary depending on the type of fuel, as some countries may have lower prices for diesel fuel than for petrol.

It’s also good to know that taxes on fuel can vary greatly between countries, which can have a big impact on the overall price. It’s recommended to check the fuel prices of the country you are visiting and compare to the prices in your home country.

 

Toll roads in Europe, cash or card?

Toll roads in Europe can vary in terms of payment methods accepted. Some toll roads only accept cash, while others accept credit or debit cards, or have electronic systems that allow you to pay with a prepaid account or via mobile app. It is best to check the toll road website before your journey to see what payment methods are accepted.

Some countries like France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Croatia have electronic toll systems that you can subscribe to, where you can drive through the tolls without stopping, and your payment will automatically be deducted from your account. If you’re planning to rent a car, check with the rental company about how to pay tolls, as some rental companies may provide an electronic toll device or have a separate toll account set up for renters.

 

What kit do I need in my car to drive in Europe?

When driving in Europe, it is important to have the following items in your car:

  • A reflective safety vest (to be worn if you have to get out of the car on the side of the road)
  • A warning triangle (to be placed on the road in case of breakdown or accident)
  • A first-aid kit
  • A spare set of light bulbs
  • Headlamp beam deflectors (if you drive a right-hand drive vehicle)
  • A GB sticker or Euro-plate (if your car doesn’t have a number plate starting with “GB”)
  • A breathalyzer (France and some other countries require you to carry one with you)
  • A valid national driving license and car registration documents
  • Travel insurance documents
  • A valid passport or ID card
  • GPS with European maps, or a map and compass
  • Cash and credit/debit cards for emergencies or toll roads
  • A phone and charger, including an international adapter if necessary.

Please note that some of these items are legally required in certain countries and it’s your responsibility to check the laws of the country you are visiting.

 

Strange laws driving in Europe

There are some driving laws in Europe that may be different from those in your home country. Here are a few examples:

  • In Italy, it is illegal to drive in flip-flops or high heels.
  • In Spain, it is illegal to drive with sunglasses on at night.
  • In Portugal, it is illegal to drive if you have a blood alcohol level of 0.05% or higher.
  • In Germany, it is illegal to run out of fuel on the Autobahn, and you must carry a warning triangle and a reflective safety vest in your car at all times.
  • In France, it is mandatory to carry a breathalyzer in your car, and if you are pulled over and do not have one, you can be fined.
  • In Norway, it is illegal to drive with studded tires after April 1st, and before November 1st.
  • In Austria, it is illegal to drive with snow chains on the front wheels only.
  • In Finland, it is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving unless it is hands-free.
  • In Greece, it is illegal to drive with sunglasses on at night, and also to drive with a full tank of fuel, as it is believed to be dangerous in the event of a fire.
  • In Portugal, it’s illegal to carry bicycles on the back of a car.
  • Eating and drinking while driving is prohibited in Cyprus and there’s a fine for non-compliance.

It is recommended to check the laws of the country you are visiting before you start driving, as laws can change over time and some countries have more strict rules than others.

 

What are headlight converters and do I need them to drive in Europe?

If you’re driving a right-hand drive vehicle in Europe, you will likely need to use headlight beam deflectors to ensure that your headlights are pointing in the correct direction. This is because the majority of European countries drive on the right side of the road, and your headlights will be pointing into oncoming traffic if you don’t use deflectors.

Headlight beam deflectors are small plastic or adhesive stickers that are applied to the headlight lens. They are designed to redirect the beam of light to the left, so that it is pointing in the correct direction when you’re driving on the right side of the road.

It’s important to note that not all European countries require headlight converters, and you should check the laws of the country you’re visiting.

It’s also important to note that headlight converters are different from headlight cleaners. Headlight cleaners are used to clean the headlights of your car, to remove the dirt and grime that can accumulate over time. Headlight converters are used to adjust the direction of the light emitted by the headlights, so that it does not blind oncoming traffic when you are driving on the right side of the road.

 

Do I need an emissions sticker for driving in Europe?

Some European cities and regions have implemented emission zones, where only vehicles with certain emissions standards are allowed to enter. To enter these zones, you may need an emissions sticker, also known as a “vignette” or “environmental badge.” The most well-known emissions zone in Europe is the “Crit’Air” vignette in France, but other countries such as Germany, Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and the UK also have similar systems in place.

It is important to check the regulations of the specific cities or regions that you plan to visit, as the rules and fines for not having the correct emissions sticker can vary. Some cities have stricter regulations and higher fines than others. Also, not all vehicles are eligible for a sticker, for example, vehicles that do not meet the Euro standards are not eligible in some cities.

It’s recommended to check the regulations of the specific cities or regions that you plan to visit and get the right sticker if needed. You can get the sticker online, in some petrol stations or in some garages.

 

Have GB stickers been replaced by UK stickers

GB stickers, also known as Great Britain stickers, are used to indicate that a vehicle is registered in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) and not in Northern Ireland. GB stickers are no longer mandatory in European Union countries, as the EU has introduced a new system of registration plates that includes a blue section on the plate with the EU stars and the country code “GB” to indicate a British vehicle.

However, after the Brexit transition period, the UK is no longer part of the EU, and it is advisable to have a “UK” or “Britain” sticker on the car when driving in EU countries and other countries that require it. This is to ensure that your vehicle can be clearly identified as British-registered. It is best to check the laws of the country you’re visiting, as some countries may require you to display a sticker or other identification on your vehicle.

It’s also important to note that you should have your insurance and registration documents with you while driving abroad, as they may be required by law enforcement in case of an accident or if you are pulled over.

There are obviously a lot more countries and laws, this is just a small example. Make sure you check properly for each country you are visiting.

Find out more about European breakdown insurance

Related articles

Driving in Europe by country

When driving in Belgium, it is important to be aware of the following:

  • Belgium drives on the right side of the road.
  • The speed limit on highways is 120 km/h (74 mph), on normal roads it is 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up areas and 90 km/h (56 mph) outside built-up areas.
  • Seat belts must be worn at all times, and the use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited unless they are hands-free.
  • It is mandatory to carry a warning triangle and a reflective safety vest in your car at all times.
  • Children under the age of 12 and shorter than 150 cm must be seated in a child seat or booster.
  • It is illegal to drive with studded tires from May 1st to September 30th
  • The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, and if you’re pulled over and found to be over the limit, you will face a fine and potentially lose your license.
  • There are several toll roads in Belgium, including the Liefkenshoek Tunnel and the Brussels Ring. Tolls can be paid in cash or by credit card.
  • It is mandatory to have a valid liability insurance and it’s advisable to have a comprehensive insurance.
  • Some areas in Belgium, like Brussels, have implemented emission zones, where only vehicles with certain emissions standards are allowed to enter. To enter these zones, you may need an emissions sticker, also known as a “vignette” or “environmental badge.”

It’s important to be aware of local traffic laws and regulations, and to drive safely and defensively at all times. Keep in mind that road conditions and traffic can vary greatly in different regions of Belgium, so it’s a good idea to plan your route in advance and allow extra time for unexpected delays.

When driving in France, it is important to be aware of the following:

  • France drives on the right side of the road.
  • The speed limit on highways is 130 km/h (81 mph), on normal roads it is 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up areas and 90 km/h (56 mph) outside built-up areas.
  • Seat belts must be worn at all times, and the use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited unless they are hands-free.
  • It is mandatory to carry a warning triangle and a reflective safety vest in your car at all times.
  • Children under the age of 10 must be seated in a child seat or booster.
  • It is illegal to drive with studded tires from May 1st to September 30th
  • The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, and if you’re pulled over and found to be over the limit, you will face a fine and potentially lose your license.
  • It is mandatory to have a breathalyzer in your car, and if you’re pulled over and do not have one, you can be fined.
  • Some areas in France have implemented emission zones, where only vehicles with certain emissions standards are allowed to enter. To enter these zones, you may need an emissions sticker, also known as a “Crit’Air” vignette.
  • There are several toll roads in France, including the A61, A64 and the A75. Tolls can be paid in cash, by credit card or with an electronic toll device such as a “telepeage”
  • It is mandatory to have a valid liability insurance and it’s advisable to have a comprehensive insurance.

It’s important to be aware of local traffic laws and regulations, and to drive safely and defensively at all times. Keep in mind that road conditions and traffic can vary greatly in different regions of France, so it’s a good idea to plan your route in advance and allow extra time for unexpected delays. Also, be aware of the roundabouts, as they are very common in France and can be confusing for some drivers.

When driving in France, it is mandatory to have the following items in your vehicle:

  • A reflective safety vest (to be worn if you have to get out of the car on the side of the road)
  • A warning triangle (to be placed on the road in case of breakdown or accident)
  • A breathalyzer (it is mandatory to carry one in your vehicle, even if you don’t plan to drink)
  • Headlamp beam deflectors (if you drive a right-hand drive vehicle)
  • A valid national driving license and car registration documents
  • Travel insurance documents
  • A valid passport or ID card
  • A spare set of light bulbs
  • Cash and credit/debit cards for emergencies or toll roads
  • A phone and charger, including an international adapter if necessary.
  • If you’re driving a vehicle registered outside the EU, you may need to display a GB or “Britain” sticker on the car.

It’s important to note that it is recommended but not mandatory to have a first-aid kit, a fire extinguisher, and a spare tyre in your car.

Please note that some of these items are legally required in France and it’s your responsibility to check the laws of the country you are visiting. Failure to carry the necessary equipment can result in fines.

When driving in Germany, it is important to be aware of the following:

  • Germany drives on the right side of the road.
  • The speed limit on highways is 130 km/h (81 mph) unless otherwise indicated and on normal roads it is 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up areas and 100 km/h (62 mph) outside built-up areas.
  • Seat belts must be worn at all times, and the use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited unless they are hands-free.
  • It is mandatory to carry a warning triangle and a reflective safety vest in your car at all times.
  • Children under the age of 12 and shorter than 150 cm must be seated in a child seat or booster.
  • The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, and if you’re pulled over and found to be over the limit, you will face a fine and potentially lose your license.
  • It is illegal to run out of fuel on the Autobahn, and you must carry a warning triangle and a reflective safety vest in your car at all times.
  • Some areas in Germany have implemented emission zones, where only vehicles with certain emissions standards are allowed to enter. To enter these zones, you may need an emissions sticker, also known as a “Umweltplakette” or “Feinstaubplakette”.
  • There are several toll roads in Germany, including the A7, A8, and the A99. Tolls can be paid in cash, by credit card or with an electronic toll device such as “Telematik”
  • It is mandatory to have a valid liability insurance and it’s advisable to have a comprehensive insurance.

It’s important to be aware of local traffic laws and regulations, and to drive safely and defensively at all times. Keep in mind that road conditions and traffic can vary greatly in different regions of Germany, so it’s a good idea to plan your route in advance and allow extra time for unexpected delays. Also, be aware of the speed limits, as they are strictly enforced in Germany, and fines for speeding can be high.

When driving in Germany, it is mandatory to have the following items in your vehicle:

  • A reflective safety vest (to be worn if you have to get out of the car on the side of the road)
  • A warning triangle (to be placed on the road in case of breakdown or accident)
  • A first-aid kit
  • A spare set of light bulbs
  • Headlamp beam deflectors (if you drive a right-hand drive vehicle)
  • A valid national driving license and car registration documents
  • Travel insurance documents
  • A valid passport or ID card
  • Cash and credit/debit cards for emergencies or toll roads
  • A phone and charger, including an international adapter if necessary.
  • If you’re driving a vehicle registered outside the EU, you may need to display a GB or “Britain” sticker on the car.

It’s important to note that it is illegal to run out of fuel on the Autobahn, and it’s your responsibility to have enough fuel to reach the next service station.

Please note that some of these items are legally required in Germany and it’s your responsibility to check the laws of the country you are visiting. Failure to carry the necessary equipment can result in fines.

 

When driving in Italy, it is important to be aware of the following:

  • Italy drives on the right side of the road.
  • The speed limit on highways is 130 km/h (81 mph), on normal roads it is 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up areas and 90 km/h (56 mph) outside built-up areas.
  • Seat belts must be worn at all times, and the use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited unless they are hands-free.
  • It is mandatory to carry a warning triangle and a reflective safety vest in your car at all times.
  • Children under the age of 12 and shorter than 150 cm must be seated in a child seat or booster.
  • It is illegal to drive in flip-flops or high heels.
  • The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, and if you’re pulled over and found to be over the limit, you will face a fine and potentially lose your license.
  • Some areas in Italy have implemented emission zones, where only vehicles with certain emissions standards are allowed to enter. To enter these zones, you may need an emissions sticker, also known as a “vignette” or “environmental badge.”
  • It is mandatory to have a valid liability insurance and it’s advisable to have a comprehensive insurance.

When driving in Italy, it is mandatory to have the following items in your vehicle:

  • A reflective safety vest (to be worn if you have to get out of the car on the side of the road)
  • A warning triangle (to be placed on the road in case of breakdown or accident)
  • A first-aid kit
  • A spare set of light bulbs
  • Headlamp beam deflectors (if you drive a right-hand drive vehicle)
  • A valid national driving license and car registration documents
  • Travel insurance documents
  • A valid passport or ID card
  • Cash and credit/debit cards for emergencies or toll roads
  • A phone and charger, including an international adapter if necessary.

Please note that some of these items are legally required in Italy and it’s your responsibility to check the laws of the country you are visiting. Failure to carry the necessary equipment can result in fines. It’s also important to note that it is illegal to drive in flip-flops or high heels, and it’s your responsibility to wear appropriate shoes while driving.

When driving in Spain, it is important to be aware of the following:

  • Spain drives on the right side of the road.
  • The speed limit on highways is 120 km/h (74 mph) unless otherwise indicated and on normal roads it is 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up areas and 90 km/h (56 mph) outside built-up areas.
  • Seat belts must be worn at all times, and the use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited unless they are hands-free.
  • It is mandatory to carry a warning triangle and a reflective safety vest in your car at all times.
  • Children under the age of 12 and shorter than 135 cm must be seated in a child seat or booster.
  • It is illegal to drive with sunglasses on at night.
  • The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, and if you’re pulled over and found to be over the limit, you will face a fine and potentially lose your license.
  • There are several toll roads in Spain, including the AP-1, AP-7, and the AP-41. Tolls can be paid in cash, by credit card or with an electronic toll device such as “Telepeaje”
  • It is mandatory to have a valid liability insurance and it’s advisable to have a comprehensive insurance.

It’s important to be aware of local traffic laws and regulations, and to drive safely and defensively at all times. Keep in mind that road conditions and traffic can vary greatly in different regions of Spain, so it’s a good idea to plan your route in advance and allow extra time for unexpected delays. Also, be aware of the speed limits, as they are strictly enforced in Spain, and fines for speeding can be high.

When driving in Spain, it is mandatory to have the following items in your vehicle:

  • A reflective safety vest (to be worn if you have to get out of the car on the side of the road)
  • A warning triangle (to be placed on the road in case of breakdown or accident)
  • A spare set of light bulbs
  • Headlamp beam deflectors (if you drive a right-hand drive vehicle)
  • A valid national driving license and car registration documents
  • Travel insurance documents
  • A valid passport or ID card
  • Cash and credit/debit cards for emergencies or toll roads
  • A phone and charger, including an international adapter if necessary.

Please note that some of these items are legally required in Spain and it’s your responsibility to check the laws of the country you are visiting. Failure to carry the necessary equipment can result in fines. It’s also important to note that it is illegal to drive with sunglasses on at night, and it’s your responsibility to wear appropriate glasses while driving.

When driving in Poland, it is important to be aware of the following:

  • Poland drives on the right side of the road.
  • The speed limit on highways is 140 km/h (87 mph) unless otherwise indicated and on normal roads it is 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up areas and 90 km/h (56 mph) outside built-up areas.
  • Seat belts must be worn at all times, and the use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited unless they are hands-free.
  • It is mandatory to carry a warning triangle and a reflective safety vest in your car at all times.
  • Children under the age of 12 and shorter than 150 cm must be seated in a child seat or booster.
  • It is illegal to drive with studded tires from May 1st to October 1st
  • The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.02%, and if you’re pulled over and found to be over the limit, you will face a fine and potentially lose your license.
  • It is mandatory to have a valid liability insurance and it’s advisable to have a comprehensive insurance.

It’s important to be aware of local traffic laws and regulations, and to drive safely and defensively at all times. Keep in mind that road conditions and traffic can vary greatly in different regions of Poland, so it’s a good idea to plan your route in advance and allow extra time for unexpected delays. Also, be aware of the speed limits, as they are strictly enforced in Poland, and fines for speeding can be high.

When driving in Poland, it is mandatory to have the following items in your vehicle:

  • A reflective safety vest (to be worn if you have to get out of the car on the side of the road)
  • A warning triangle (to be placed on the road in case of breakdown or accident)
  • A first-aid kit
  • A spare set of light bulbs
  • Headlamp beam deflectors (if you drive a right-hand drive vehicle)
  • A valid national driving license and car registration documents
  • Travel insurance documents
  • A valid passport or ID card
  • Cash and credit/debit cards for emergencies or toll roads
  • A phone and charger, including an international adapter if necessary.

Please note that some of these items are legally required in Poland and it’s your responsibility to check the laws of the country you are visiting. Failure to carry the necessary equipment can result in fines. It’s also important to note that it is illegal to drive with studded tires from May 1st to October 1st, and it’s your responsibility to have appropriate tires while driving.