Learning the basics: Driving overseas
From bike racks to breathalysers, sat navs to speed limits
Driving overseas can be daunting for both experienced tourers and newcomers because of the wealth of differing laws and regulations of the road. Whilst the European Union has meant that some laws are uniform across the continent, others still remain specific to certain countries. So here we learn the basics of driving overseas.
A-frames
Towing a car behind your motorhome abroad? We would advise that you use a trailer, with all four wheels of your car off the ground. Although most countries do not have a specific law banning A-frames, they do have a law which prohibits a motor vehicle towing another motor vehicle.
Bike racks
You have two options for carrying bikes on your vehicle. If you choose to mount them on the roof of your car, they must be securely attached to an adequate bike rack and the total height of your vehicle and mounted bikes must not exceed 4m. Alternatively, you may choose to mount them on the rear of the vehicle. They must not obscure your lights, indicators or number plate.
If you're travelling through Portugal, ensure your bikes are mounted at the rear of your caravan or motorhome, not your car. In Spain and Italy, overhanging loads must be indicated by a reflecting red and white diagonally striped square panel measuring 50cm x 50cm. In Spain, these panels can be made of either aluminium or plastic but in Italy they must be aluminium.
Bike racks can only rest on the towbar if the maximum weight on the towbar is not exceeded.
Breathalysers
Once a legal requirement in France, breathalysers are now not a requirement but it is advised that you have one to hand. Make sure your breathalyser is NF approved.
Fire extinguishers
Although no compulsory, carrying a vehicle fire extinguisher is recommended in the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
Headlights
Given that most of Europe drives on the right, and in the UK drives on the left, it is vital you adapt your headlights so you don't dazzle oncoming traffic. You can do this manually or by using headlight converters. Eurolites are available from most motor accessory shops or online (find them on Amazon) and are compatible with over 600 different vehicle types and clear lens, projector and xenon headlights.
Large outfits
Travelling in Spain? Does your outfit exceed 12m? If the answers are yes, you are required to fit marker boards to the back of your vehicle. You can either have two small boards or one large board but they must be placed at the back of the outfit between 50cm and 150cm off the ground. The marker board must have a plain yellow centre with red outline, be made of aluminium and manufactured to the ECE70 standard.
Travelling in France? Does your vehicle exceed 3,500kg? If yes, you must have a sticker showing the position of blind spots, visible on the sides and at the rear of your vehicle. This regulation has been in force since January 2021.
The stickers:
- Must be visible from the sides and rear of the vehicle, and be positioned at a height between 90cm and 150cm from the ground
- Be glued, painted on the bodywork or affixed by reverting or any other means of fixing
- Must be placed so as to be visible at all times
- Must not obstruct the vehicle's number plate or lights, indicators or the driver's field of vision
- Mist comply with the model set by the decree of 5 January 2021
- Foreign vehicles passing through France are also subject to this signing obligation
You can find out more at securite-routiere.gouv.fr or visit Amazon.
Low emission zones
Low Emission Zones are special areas within urban spaces that regulate the most polluting vehicles by placing restrictions on when or if they can enter the zones. LEZs affect most vehicles except public transport, motorcycles and electric vehicles so its worth being aware of them so that you're not caught out when driving in cities.
Number plates
British number plates have changed since the UK's withdrawal from the European Union. This doesn't require you to change your number plate but if your plate doesn't display a 'UK' wordmark, then you'll need to purchase and display a UK sticker on your vehicle. UK stickers replace GB stickers. You should remove any GB stickers from your vehicle as they are now invalid. Find approved UK stickers here.
Sat navs and dashcams
Car navigation systems that actively search for mobile speed cameras or interfere with police equipment are illegal in nearly all European countries. Those that actively search and warn of fixed speed cameras are illegal in France, Germany and Switzerland. You must disable this function in those countries.
Dashcam usage is also restricted in some EU countries. They are illegal in Austria, Luxembourg and Portugal. In Belgium, France, Germany, Norway and Switzerland they are legal but with strict conditions so it's best to research this before you travel.
Dashcams are unrestricted in Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and, of course, the UK.
Speed limits
When touring abroad, whether in a car towing a caravan or in a motorhome, it’s important to know the speed limits within each country.
| Country | Vehicle | Motorways | Other roads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | Car + caravan under 3.5t | 100km/h (62mph) | 80km/h (50mph) |
| Car + caravan over 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 70km/h (44mph) | |
| Motorhome under 3.5t | 130km/h (81mph) | 100km/h (62mph) | |
| Motorhome over 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 70km/h (44mph) | |
| Belgium | Car + caravan under 3.5t | 120km/h (74mph) | 90km/h (56mph) |
| Car + caravan over 3.5t | 90km/h (56mph) | 90km/h (56mph) | |
| Motorhome under 3.5t | 120km/h (74mph) | 120km/h (74mph) | |
| Motorhome over 3.5t | 90km/h (56mph) | 90km/h (56mph) | |
| Croatia | Car + caravan under 3.5t | 90km/h (56mph) | 80km/h (50mph) |
| Car + caravan over 3.5t | 90km/h (56mph) | 80km/h (50mph) | |
| Motorhome under 3.5t | 130km/h (81mph) | 90-110km/h (56-68mph) | |
| Motorhome over 3.5t | 90km/h (56mph) | 80km/h (50mph) | |
| Czech Republic | Car + caravan under 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 80km/h (50mph) |
| Car + caravan over 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 80km/h (50mph) | |
| Motorhome under 3.5t | 130km/h (81mph) | 90km/h (56mph) | |
| Motorhome over 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 80km/h (50mph) | |
| Denmark | Car + caravan under 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 70km/h (44mph) |
| Car + caravan over 3.5t | 70km/h (44mph) | 70km/h (44mph) | |
| Motorhome under 3.5t | 110-130km/h (68-81mph) | 80-90km/h (50-56mph) | |
| Motorhome over 3.5t | 70km/h (44mph) | 70km/h (44mph) | |
| Germany | Car + caravan under 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 80km/h (50mph) |
| Car + caravan over 3.5t | 100km/h (62mph) | 80km/h (50mph) | |
| Motorhome under 3.5t | 130km/h (81mph) | 100km/h (62mph) | |
| Motorhome over 3.5t | 100km/h (62mph) | 80km/h (50mph) | |
| France | Car + caravan under 3.5t | 130km/h (81mph) | 80km/h (50mph) |
| Car + caravan over 3.5t | 90km/h (56mph) | 80km/h (50mph) | |
| Motorhome under 3.5t | 130km/h (81mph) | 80km/h (50mph) | |
| Motorhome over 3.5t | 110km/h (68mph) | 80km/h (50mph) | |
| Ireland | Car + caravan under 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 60-80km/h (37-50mph) |
| Car + caravan over 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 60-80km/h (37-50mph) | |
| Motorhome under 3.5t | 120km/h (74mph) | 60-100km/h (37-50mph) | |
| Motorhome over 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 60-80km/h (37-50mph) | |
| Italy | Car + caravan under 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 70km/h (44mph) |
| Car + caravan over 3.5t | 100km/h (62mph) | 80km/h (50mph) | |
| Motorhome under 3.5t | 130km/h (81mph) | 90-110km/h (56-68mph) | |
| Motorhome over 3.5t | 100km/h (62mph) | 80km/h (50mph) | |
| Luxembourg | Car + caravan under 3.5t | 90km/h (56mph) | 75km/h (47mph) |
| *In adverse weather conditions, limit reduces to 110km/h (68mph) | Car + caravan over 3.5t | 130km/h (81mph)* | 90km/h (56mph)* |
| Motorhome under 3.5t | 130km/h (81mph)* | 90km/h (56mph)* | |
| Motorhome over 3.5t | 130km/h (81mph)* | 90km/h (56mph)* | |
| Norway | Car + caravan under 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 80km/h (50mph) |
| Car + caravan over 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 80km/h (50mph) | |
| Motorhome under 3.5t | 110km/h (68mph) | 110km/h (68mph) | |
| Motorhome over 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 80km/h (50mph) | |
| Portugal | Car + caravan under 3.5t | 100km/h (62mph) | 70-80km/h (44-50mph) |
| Car + caravan over 3.5t | 100km/h (62mph) | 70-90km/h (44-56mph) | |
| Motorhome under 3.5t | 120km/h (74mph) | 90-100km/h (56-62mph) | |
| Motorhome over 3.5t | 100km/h (62mph) | 70-90km/h (44-56mph) | |
| Slovenia | Car + caravan under 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 80km/h (50mph) |
| Car + caravan over 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 80km/h (50mph) | |
| Motorhome under 3.5t | 130km/h (81mph) | 90-100km/h (56-62mph) | |
| Motorhome over 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 80km/h (50mph) | |
| Spain | Car + caravan | 90km/h (56mph) | 80km/h (50mph) |
| Motorhome under 3.5t | 120km/h (74mph) | 90km/h (56mph) | |
| Motorhome over 3.5t | 90km/h (56mph) | 80km/h (50mph) | |
| Sweden | Car + caravan under 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 70-80km/h (44-50mph) |
| Car + caravan over 3.5t | 90-120km/h (56-74mph) | 70-100km/h (44-62mph) | |
| Motorhome under 3.5t | 90-120km/h (56-74mph) | 70-100km/h (44-62mph) | |
| Motorhome over 3.5t | 90-120km/h (56-74mph) | 70-100km/h (44-62mph) | |
| Switzerland | Car + caravan under 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 80km/h (50mph)* |
| *If the caravan weighs over 1,000kg, speed limit reduces to 60km/h (37mph) | Car + caravan over 3.5t | 100km/h (62mph) | 80-100km/h (50-62mph)* |
| Motorhome under 3.5t | 120km/h (74mph) | 80-100km/h (50-62mph) | |
| Motorhome over 3.5t | 100km/h (62mph) | 80-100km/h (50-62mph) | |
| The Netherlands | Car + caravan under 3.5t | 90km/h (56mph) | 80-90km/h (50-56mph) |
| *Unless a lower limit is indicated | Car + caravan over 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 80km/h (50mph) |
| Motorhome under 3.5t | 130km/h (81mph)* | 80-90km/h (50-56mph)* | |
| Motorhome over 3.5t | 80km/h (50mph) | 80km/h (50mph) |
Winter driving
In some countries it is a legal requirement to use winter equipment such as snow chains or winter tyres. We also recommended that, in addition to the information provided, you take a snow shovel and add antifreeze to your vehicle's windscreen fluid.
Requirements by country
| Country | First aid kit | Hi-vis vest | Warning triangle | Daytime lights | Winter equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Required |
| Belgium | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Croatia | Yes | Yes | Yes (2x if towing) | Yes (in winter months) | Required |
| Czech Republic | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Required |
| Denmark | Recommended | Recommended | Yes | Yes | Recommended |
| France | No | Yes | Yes | Recommended | Required |
| Germany | No | No | No | No | Required |
| Ireland | No | No | No | No | No |
| Italy | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Required |
| Luxembourg | No | Yes | Yes | Recommended | Required |
| Netherlands | No | No | Recommended | No | No |
| Norway | Recommended | Recommended | Yes | Yes | Required |
| Portugal | No | Recommended | Yes | No | No |
| Slovenia | Recommended | Yes | Yes (2x if towing) | Yes | Required |
| Spain | No | Yes | Yes (2x if towing) | No | Recommended |
| Sweden | Recommended | No | Recommended | Yes | Required |
| Switzerland | No | No | Yes | Yes | Required |
United Kingdom | No (but recommended) | No | Yes | No | No |
We advise buying a driving in Europe kit which includes a first aid kit, hi-vis vests, warning triangle, headlight converters, UK stickers, breathalysers and other tools. We recommend the Gadlane kit on Amazon.
Driving in Europe in winter? Check out our guide to overseas winter equipment
Get the lowdown on Low Emission Zones
Following the UK's withdrawal from the EU, find out how Brexit has changed EU travel
Got a question? Our Travel Advice hub might have the answer