Once you pass your driving test in the UK, the world is your oyster! With your licence, you’re given what is perhaps the ultimate freedom – an opportunity to see the sights, to road trip with friends, and to travel both locally and internationally without the hassle and cost of public transport. With excellent links between the UK and France (the car ferries and the Eurotunnel), a popular destination for young drivers is Europe, but it’s important to plan this sort of road trip carefully as countries on the continent adhere to different rules and regulations, and drivers can be reprimanded for failing to follow protocol.
European Driving Rules
The first thing you need to know about driving in Europe is that, in many countries, the minimum age for getting behind the wheel is 18, not 17 like it is in the UK. This means that you may have to wait a little while before booking those tickets if you’re a young driver who has passed at 17. It’s also important to know what other countries expect for you to have in your car for safety and in cases of emergency. In some countries, it is a legal requirement to travel with a warning triangle, reflective jacket, first aid kit, and fire extinguisher, and you’ll also need to display a GB sticker on your car and fit headlamp adjustment stickers as you’ll be driving on the right, not the left.
Unusual European Road Rules
Depending upon which countries you plan on visiting, you may find that there are some rather unusual road rules that you’ll need to brush up on before setting off. Some countries, particularly those in Northern Europe, require headlights to be used at all times, even during the day.
In Belarus, it is allegedly illegal to drive a dirty car, and in some areas, police can collect on-the-spot fines from drivers demonstrating illegal or dangerous behaviour on the roads. This sort of behaviour includes speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, failing to stop at a red light, drink and drug driving, using a bus lane, and using a mobile phone while driving. This is all part of the EU Directive on Road Safety, which the UK opted out of in 2013. Fines can be as much as £323, and vehicles can be retained if the driver refuses or is unable to pay.
Much of driving in Europe is common sense – read up on each country’s rules, drive sensibly, and there’s nothing to worry about. There is one aspect, however, that many drivers forget about until it’s too late – the difference in speed unit between the UK and Europe. While here in the UK our speed limits are displayed in miles per hour, it’s kilometres per hour over on the continent. 1 mph is approximately 1.6 kmph, but you should be able to change the unit on your speedometer for ease and convenience. Speeding is one of the most common reasons for being pulled over when driving in Europe, with figures showing that while foreign drivers in the EU make up just 5 percent of road traffic, they account for 15 percent of speeding offences. By staying vigilant and focused, you can enjoy a stress-free road trip over the Channel with your UK licence.
