Some holidaymakers could find themselves in trouble for drinking – even if you’re not the driver
Holidaymakers heading for Europe this summer have been warned of some little-known rules that could land you in trouble – including countries where dashcams are banned and one where you can’t even sit in the passenger seat after drinking. There are also countries where you need to have your lights on at all times, and others where parking in the wrong place could cost you hundreds.
Tim Rodie, driving expert at Motorpoint said: “When driving in the EU, you’ll be held to account if you break the rules of the road just like at home in the UK. While many rules are the same it’s important to make sure you’re familiar with the rules and road customs of the countries you’ll be driving in.
“Even though cross-border enforcement of traffic fines between the UK and EU countries has ended for the most part, some fines may still be issued under specific circumstances. If you do receive a fine, make sure to pay it promptly, as they can increase significantly if ignored.”
Tim has shared 11 of the most unusual driving laws across Europe:
Be mindful of where you’re parking in Spain or risk a £500 fine
When parking in Spain, be aware that if trying to park on a one-way street you might need to move your car sooner than you think. In some areas you can only park on each side of the road for half of the month.
To avoid a fine between €100 and €600 (£85 and £515), look out for blue and red signs marked 1-15, signifying it is legal to park there the first half of the month, and 16-31, which signifies parking is permitted in the area on the second half of the month.
In some Spanish towns, access to non-residents is also forbidden and parking regulations can change throughout the week from city to city. So, make sure you do your research of the area in advance to avoid having to pay a fine.
Keep your headlights on in Scandinavia
If you’re visiting any Nordic countries in 2025, you’ll have to remember to keep your headlights switched on. Drivers are legally required to keep them on at all times in 12 countries, including Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, due to fast-changing weather conditions. If you don’t have your headlights on and you’re caught, local police can dish out on the spot fines starting at €100 (£85).
Had a drink? Sit in the back seat in Macedonia
If you’ve been drinking in Macedonia, make sure you sit in the back seat to avoid your designated driver facing a fine upwards of €45 (£38). Here, it’s illegal for anyone under the influence of alcohol to sit in the passenger seat of a vehicle, so make sure to get in the backseat.
Keep your fuel topped up in Germany
Germany’s Autobahn is renowned for its large stretches of motorway with the absence of speed limits, but that doesn’t mean there are no rules at all.
Running out of petrol on any motorway be dangerous for you and other motorists, so make sure you’re topped up for the road ahead to avoid a fine of at least €50 (£40). This doesn’t only apply in Germany, you can also be reprimanded for this in the UK, too. In both countries, you could also face a more substantial fine if you stopped car causes an accident or poses a danger to other road users.
Remove your dashcam in these countries
When driving in Portugal, Luxembourg and Austria, it’s not permitted to operate a dashcam as they’re deemed as an invasion of privacy and carry hefty fines.
Dashcams are popular among UK drivers as they can save you thousands of pounds in insurance claims, however, they could set you back an eye-watering €25,000 (£21,300) fine for repeat offenders in Austria.
Safety essentials required in Eastern Europe
Many countries in Europe require you to carry reflective jackets, warning triangles and replacement headlight bulbs in your car at all times.
If you’re venturing to Eastern Europe, it’s likely you’re going to need further safety equipment depending on each country’s individual laws. Countries including Bulgaria, Poland and Romania require you to carry a fire extinguisher in your car, with fines of equivalent to around 825 Romanian lei (£140) for failing to do so – if you are hiring a car, it should be provided but if driving your own vehicle make sure to pack all relevant safety equipment.
Stick to the speakers in France and Spain
Using any kind of headphones or in-ear Bluetooth device when driving is explicitly banned in France and Spain and can result in a fine of €135 in France and €200 in Spain (£115 and £171 respectively). Across both countries, all calls must come through an external speaker and microphones or hands-free sets without earphones.
Watch out for this sign in Austria
Austria is particularly stringent when it comes to speeding, and even more so if you’re in a controlled emission zone (known as an Immissionsschutzgesetz Luft area). So, when you see an ‘IG-L’ sign when driving in Austria, beware that you could face speeding fines several times higher than the norm under the Air Pollution Control Act.
Given the minimum fine for speeding in Austria is €150 (£128), it’s not worth the risk.
Keep a lid on road rage in Germany
Most drivers have let out their frustrations at others on the road at some point, but you could face harsh penalties if you don’t keep your cool on German roads. Shouting insults or making offensive gestures to members of the public or police could land you with huge fines of up to €4,000 (£3,418) and even a prison sentence of up to one year.
City centres are off limits in Italy
Thinking of cruising through a bustling Italian city centre? You might have to rethink your route.
Many cities in Italy with historic town centres feature restricted areas called ZTLs. These zones are closed to everyone other than residents during certain hours. Consider getting some steps in instead, or you could be fined around €100 (£85) each time you enter and exit a ZTL zone.
Bikes go up top in Portugal
Bike racks loaded onto the back of cars are not an uncommon sight on UK roads, but in Portugal, it’s illegal to carry bicycles on the back of, rear-mounted or towbar-mounted on your car. Roof racks are required for transporting bikes in Portugal, otherwise you’ll face a fine between €60 and €300 (£51 and £256).
Even if you’re sticking to the UK, you could be at risk of a hefty fine if you don’t install a bike rack to the back of your car properly. If your brake lights or number plate aren’t fully visible, this can lead to a whopping £5,000 fine.
