Driver's license
Most European countries require an international driver's license (IDL) which serves as legal ID with all pertinent information translated in 11 foreign languages. You must obtain this document prior to departure.
Number of passengers in vehicle
A vehicle's registration indicates the maximum number of authorized passengers. For insurance and civil liability reasons, you must comply. Children always count as passengers, no matter their age.
Driving regulations
Though regulations differ from one country to the next, you must always respect them. Prior to departure, do some research to understand foreign road signs, driving habits and other particularities of European driving regulations.
Here are a few examples:
- Left-side driving in the UK, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta;
- Prohibited to put a bicycle behind a vehicle in Portugal;
- Prohibited to park less than 10 metres (32.8') from a pedestrian crossing in Switzerland (5 metres in the majority of other countries);
- Prohibited to park less than 10 metres (65.6') from a traffic light in Portugal and Belgium;
- Required to have a fire extinguisher in the car in Belgium;
- Prohibited for intoxicated persons to sit on the front-passenger seat in Bosnia;
- Speed limit changes from 130 km/h to 110 km/h when raining in France (certain highways).
Violations leading to fines can become very costly.
Children
For children under 10 years of age, it is required to use a safety seat adapted to their size and weight (seat approved up to age 7 and booster for ages 7-10).
Winter tires legislation in France
From November 1, 2021, winter tires become mandatory during the winter in certain mountainous areas in France. Indeed, to improve the safety of users on the road and limit traffic jams in mountain areas, the government published a decree no 2020-1264 of October 16, 2020 in the Official Journal of October 18, 2020.
Concretely, this means that if you are driving in a city affected by the decree between November 1 and March 31, you must equip your car (M1 category vehicle with a maximum of 8 seats):
- either metal snow chains on at least two driving wheels: they are recommended for frequent use because they are more effective, especially in heavy snow conditions, than textile chains;
- or textile chains, commonly called “snow socks” on two drive wheels: they are ideal for occasional use because they are very easy to install (but less effective than metal chains);
- or regulatory winter tires on your 4 wheels (more precisely on at least two wheels on each axle).
To learn more and to know the departments concerned click here
Essential elements of European driving regulations
Source : Prévention routière
The following information is for your personal information only. Renault Canada is in no way responsible contractually or otherwise and is not designed to replace legal texts which must always be consulted.
| Speed limits in km/h (tourist vehicles) city/roadway/highway | Blood-alcohol limits (g/l) | Cell phone use | Compulsory seat belt front/rear | Required equipment in vehicle | Headlights required in daytime |
---|
France | 50 / 90 / 130 | less than 0.5 | NO | YES/YES | cone vest | NO |
Germany | 50 / 100 / unlimited | less than 0.5 | NO | YES/YES | cone 1st aid kit | NO |
Austria | 50 / 100 / 130 | less than 0.5 (0.2 for novices) | NO | YES/YES | cone vest 1st aid kit | NO |
Belgium | 50 / 90 / 120 | less than 0.5 | NO | YES/YES | cone fire extinguisher | NO |
Croatia | 50 / 90 / 130 | 0 tolerance | NO | YES/YES | cone | YES |
Spain | 50 / 90 / 120 | less than 0.5 (0.3 for novices) | NO | YES/YES | 2 cones vest spare bulbs | NO |
Greece | 50 / 70 / 120 | less than 0.5 | NO | YES/YES | cone fire extinguisher 1st aid kit | NO |
Ireland | 50 / 80 / 120 | less than 0.8 | NO | YES/YES | none | NO |
Italiy | 50 / 90 / 130 | less than 0.5 | NO | YES/YES | cone vest | Yes, on high-speed roadways & highways |
Netherlands | 50 / 80 / 120 | less than 0.5 | NO | YES/YES | none | YES |
Poland | 50 / 90 / 130 | less than 0.2 | NO | YES/YES | cone fire extinguisher 1st aid kit | Yes, from October to February |
Portugal | 50 / 90 / 120 | less than 0.5 | NO | YES/YES | cone vest | No, except on the IPS |
Czech Republic | 50 / 90 /130 | 0 tolerance | NO | YES/YES | cone 1st aid kit fuses | YES |
United Kingdom | 48 / 83 / 112 | less than 0.8 | YES | YES/YES | cone | NO |
Switzerland | 50 / 80 / 120 | less than 0.5 | NO | YES/YES | cone | YES |
Prior to departure, learn about insurance and roadside assistance. Although we hope it does not happen, you just might need it.