Be careful on holiday trips: not everyone knows these traffic rules abroad

Created: 05/24/2022, 17:24

By: Sebastian Oppenheimer

If you drive abroad by car, you should find out about the traffic rules in advance.

Because these are often different in detail than in Germany.

Ignorance can be expensive.

Munich – The new catalog of fines, which has made many traffic offenses significantly more expensive, has been in effect in Germany since this year.

But even abroad, the law enforcement officers usually do not take offense at rule-breakers – for example, when it comes to speed violations.

If you think you can exceed the specified limit, you will quickly experience an expensive surprise.

Depending on the country, there are different speed limits for country roads, expressways and motorways, which you should inquire about in advance; these are usually general limits.

In some countries, however, the maximum speed is always individually limited by signs.

The fines for exceeding the maximum limit also differ - but they are almost always higher than those in Germany.

Norway is particularly expensive in this respect,

Some of the traffic rules abroad differ from those in Germany – so you should also be careful in Austria.

(Iconic image) © Manngold/Imago

Be careful on holiday trips: not everyone knows these traffic rules abroad

There is a special feature for e-car drivers in Austria (the so-called "Raserpaket" came into force there in 2021): Since the beginning of 2021, there has also been an exception to the environmental speed limit for foreign cars.

This limits the maximum speed of combustion cars to 100 km/h on certain sections of the motorway.

German e-mobiles with e-plates are also allowed to drive up to 130.

In many countries, there are special, stricter speed limits for novice drivers.

According to ADAC, new drivers in Italy are only allowed to drive 90 km/h on country roads and a maximum of 100 km/h on motorways.

The regulation applies in the first three years after obtaining the driver's license.

The situation is similar in France, where novice drivers are only allowed to drive 80 km/h outside built-up areas, only 100 km/h on expressways and only 110 km/h on motorways in the first three years.

Traffic rules abroad: Cars registered in Spain must have two warning triangles on board

In some countries you also have to observe special regulations: All cars registered in Spain - such as rental cars - must carry two warning triangles.

In Italy, the daytime running lights or dipped headlights must be switched on at any time of the day or night outside of built-up areas. This also applies to mopeds and motorbikes in built-up areas.

France has been requiring a breathalyser on board every car for several years. Although its absence is no longer punishable by a fine, having it with you saves you having to talk to the police in a foreign language.

In many countries there is also an obligation for every occupant to carry a high-visibility vest.

In Germany, the regulations for the contents of the first aid kit have just changed.

Traffic rules abroad: Always have enough cash with you on toll roads

If you visit a country with toll motorways, you should always have enough cash with you in case no EC or credit cards are accepted at the toll station.

Driving on toll roads without a valid vignette is not a good idea.

Monitoring is usually very close and the penalties exceed the cost of the vignette many times over.

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Traffic rules abroad: It is better not to ignore foreign fines

In general, fines in other European countries are often significantly higher than in Germany.

Unlike a few years ago, foreign fines cannot simply be ignored.

For example, there is an enforcement agreement within the EU.

This only applies from a height of 70 euros;

this limit is quickly reached, however, since the processing fees are added to the actual costs of the offence.

There is an exception with Austria: Here the limit is 25 euros.

If someone refuses to pay the fine, this can even lead to imprisonment as part of enforcement proceedings.

In the event of an inspection in the country concerned, old fines can also be collected retrospectively.

So if you intend to visit the country in question again,