Essential tips for driving abroad this summer

Holidaymakers planning to rent a car abroad this summer are urged to familiarise themselves with the driving rules and regulations of their destination to avoid hefty fines.

This comes after a survey conducted by car insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk revealed a third of Brits don’t research the local driving laws for the country they’re visiting before driving there.

With summer holidays on the horizon, many Brits will be renting a car overseas to explore their destinations more freely and at their own pace.

While this offers a convenient way to get around, it’s crucial for drivers to do their homework before hitting the road, as driving rules can differ significantly from one country to the next.

In certain countries, cars are required to be equipped with mandatory safety equipment such as reflective vests, warning triangles and first aid kits.

One of these countries is France, where it’s an offence not to have a high visibility vest for each occupant – surprisingly, more than half of the survey respondents were not aware of this. While rental cars generally come with the mandatory equipment, it’s important to double check the rules as 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.  

Drink drive limits also vary in different countries – while in the UK drivers are allowed to have up to 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, several European countries have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to alcohol and driving.

Even though road signs are mostly standardised throughout Europe, drivers can still come across variations in how they look and what they mean, so it’s important to research local signage before getting behind the wheel.

Speed limits can differ as well, for example in France, speed limits change based on weather conditions and the German Autobahn has sections with no speed limit whatsoever.

It’s also important for drivers to make sure their car insurance covers them when driving overseas, as not all policies include international cover.  If hiring a car on holiday, drivers need to check it’s covered in their travel insurance – it will likely need added as an extra or added to the hire car rental policy.  Just becareful when renting a car and be sure to read the full terms and conditions, there can be limitations and restrictions such as fuel and mileage.

Greg Wilson, car insurance expert and CEO at Quotezone.co.uk said: “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.

“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.”

Here are 7 things to look out for when driving abroad:

1.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.

2.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, several European countries such as Hungary and Romania have a strict zero-tolerance policy, and many popular holiday destinations like Spain, Portugal and Italy have a 50 mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood limit.

3.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.

4.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.

5.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. 

6.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.

7.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.

Quotezone helps millions of UK drivers every year compare car insurance quotes and find real savings across all sorts of products including car, van and motorhome insurance.

Reference:

SURVEY – Quotezone.co.uk‘s findings are based on a randomised survey of 1,000 respondents across the UK during April 2025, which represents a margin of error of approximately 5% at a 95% confidence level.