Travel pro reveals 7 little-known tips you need to know when you’re driving in Europe this summer & how to avoid fines
A TRAVEL pro has revealed their top tips every driver needs to know if they plan on travelling this summer and avoiding pesky fines.
Motors experts Lotus Car Rental have compiled a handy list of the seven most important things to remember to make sure you stay ahead of European road laws.
The first revolves around how France have added a rule that says all cars must be kitted out with a high-visibility jackets for each passenger.
They also expect each motor to have a fully working warning triangle just in case of any emergencies.
Lotus Car Rentals say you could be hit with a £643 fine if you get pulled over and can’t prove you have the jackets or button with you.
In 27 countries in the EU drivers now need a valid International Driving Permit.
Iceland, Switzerland and Norway are some of the most popular tourist hotspots where the rule is in place.
Punishments vary from country to country with some handing down fines whereas others may send you to court or even take away your car for good.
Experts suggest always double checking with the embassy of the country you are planning to drive in to see if you will need the permit.
The third tip is a bizarre yet interesting one that is implemented in Spain, Germany, France and Switzerland.
They have regulations that say people who wear prescription glasses need to keep a spare pair with you in the car or face a fine.
The requirement exists to ensure all drivers have a back up option for if they lose or damage their glasses or contact lenses.
Tip number four only applies to certain parts of Europe where the climate is much more bleak.
Drivers have been told to always double check the regulations in place that may require your car to meet certain standards to cope with adverse weather.
Alexander Haraldsson, CEO at Lotus Car Rental, said: “In Iceland for instance, weather conditions can be extremely unpredictable even during the summer months.
“Heavy rain, strong winds and even snow can make driving conditions difficult for locals, let alone unsuspecting tourists.
“For this reason, it’s mandatory for all motorists to use winter tyres from November to April in certain parts of the country.
“These tyres add extra traction on icy roads and are essential for anyone who plans to head out of Reykjavik and explore the open road.”
Once again, failing to adhere to the rules can lead to hefty fines of anywhere up to £114.
A similar warning comes from how some countries require drivers to have their headlights on constantly.
To improve road safety and reduce the likelihood of accidents, countries such as Poland, Bulgaria and Iceland ask drivers to use headlights at all times – even during the day.
This is often due to poor visibility and a lack of light.
Many drivers are left shocked when they go abroad and discover how different countries behave on the roads.
A huge difference comes from overtaking rules.
The UK are seen as lenient with their take on a safe pass but in countries like Spain overtaking rules and regulations are strictly enforced.
They can even carry fines of up to £514, points being added to your license and even resulting in your license being suspended.
Motorists should read up on the rules of the road for whichever country they are passing through.
As well as being more relaxed when abroad and sticking to designated passing zones and road signs.
The final tip is one of the most crucial laws for staying safe and out of trouble.
Drink driving is a huge issue across Europe with a number of deaths happening each week.
Each European country will have its own legal blood alcohol concentration limit for driving.
Norway is one of the strictest nations with anything over 0.02% being deemed as over the limit.
This means even a few sips of booze can land you with fines or even in jail.
As with all cases of drinking and driving the best action to take is to never get behind the wheel after you have had a drink.
It comes as a travel expert revealed the pricey mistake passengers often make that sees them paying too much for their luggage.
Kyle Potter says passengers should use the bag cost calculator provided by many airlines to figure out how much any extra luggage will cost – but to always do it before you buy a plane ticket.
Three money-saving travel hacks
READY to escape the dreary weather? Here are some tips on saving cash
TIME TO FLY: Always use a flight comparison site, such as fly-scanner.com or kayak.co.uk, which will search for the cheapest operator on your chosen route.
Airlines release tickets up to a year in advance and, generally, the earlier you book, the cheaper flights are.
This is especially true if you’re planning to fly during peak periods, such as summer holidays.
FLEXIBLE WINS: You’ll be able to find the best deals if you can be flexible on destination or with dates of travel.
Flying midweek is usually the cheapest, while Fridays and Sundays tend to be the most expensive.
If you have set dates in mind, try Skyscanner’s “Everywhere” search tool, which will show the cheapest destinations available at those times.
PACKAGE UP: You can usually save cash by opting for an all-inclusive deal over booking flights and hotels separately, according to research by consumer group Which?.
However, it does depend on the destination so it’s worth doing your research.
Spain was found to be cheaper as an all-inclusive, but you would be better off doing a DIY holiday in Portugal’s Algarve.