Explained: Driving laws in Europe

Whether you’re heading off on your summer holiday or enjoying the winter ski season, driving to Europe is a popular choice with UK holiday-makers.

But not all driving laws are consistent across Europe. Here are some you need to be aware of while on the go.

Belgium

The main points for Belgian driving is that you need a reflective jacket and a warning triangle in the car in the case of an accident or breakdown.

Three cities have low-emission zones – Antwerp, Ghent and the capital Brussels – and you’ll need to register your vehicle online before driving there. If your vehicle doesn’t comply with the emission levels, you need to by a €35 (circa £30) day pass. If you don’t you could be fined €150 (around £130).

Motorways: 75mph (120km/h)

Suburban speed limits:

- 56mph (90km/h) in Brussels-Capital Region

- 43mph (70km/h) in Flanders

- Residential areas: 12mph (20km/h)

- Built up areas: 31mph (50km/h)

France

It’s usually the first country people come across on their way onto the continent, so you’ll need to be aware of these French laws.

You need to have a reflective jacket within reach in case of an accident or breakdown, as well as 2 breathalysers. Although that last one is set to be scrapped under new transport laws, it’s best to carry them anyway.

Some large cities also come with emissions restrictions – mainly for emergencies. Paris has banned diesel vehicles built before 2006 on week days between 8am and 8pm – while Chambery, Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg and Toulouse have emergency restrictions.

To drive in those cities, you’ll need to by an air quality certificate sticker, which cost £3.75 from the French environment ministry website. Check your vehicle’s logbook to see which sticker you need for your car. It can take up to 6 weeks to arrive, so plan ahead if you’re thinking of travelling there.

Motorways:

- 81mph (130km/h) in dry weather

- 68mph (110km/h) in wet weather

Suburban zones: 50mph (80km/h)

Urban zones: 31mph (50km/h)

Germany

Unlike other countries in Europe, Germany doesn’t require non-German drivers to carry any equipment – however it’s recommended that a reflective jacket and warning triangle are in the car.

There are also 52 low-emission zones in cities across Germany, including major cities of Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich– with vehicles requiring either a red, yellow or green sticker depending on its emissions. Each sticker costs £5.35 (€6) and arrives within 14 days.

Motorways: 81mph (130km/h)

Autobahns (marked by white sign with 5 black diagonal lines): no speed limit

Suburban zones: 62mph (100km/h)

Urban zones: 31mph (50km/h)

Ireland

To drive on Irish roads, you only need what you’d have for driving in the UK. There are no official requirements, but it’s always good to have a reflective vest and a warning triangle just in case.

There are no low emission zones to be aware of at the moment for car drivers – although that may change in the future.

Motorways: 75mph (120km/h)

Dual-carriageways and national roads: 62mph (100km/h)

Local and regional roads: 50mph (80km/h)

Urban zones: 31mph (50km/h)

Italy

If you plan on heading to Italy, you need to carry a reflective jacket and a warning triangle for all times of the year. If you’re heading to the mountains in the winter, your vehicle needs to be fitted with winter tyres or come with snow chains.

Most of the northern cities have low emission zones, with weekday restrictions usually in place. Driving into cities on Sundays may also be banned, but check the individual cities before going. For tourists, the permitted entry into the zones is if you’re staying in a hotel, as temporary permits aren’t available.

Milan is the only city in Italy to employ a London-style congestion charge, with drivers needing to pay to enter the centre of the city.

Motorways: 81mph (130km/h)

Dual carriageways: 68mph (110km/h)

Urban motorways: 44mph (70km/h)

Suburban zones: 56mph (90km/h)

Urban zones: 31mph (50km/h)

Netherlands

For driving on Dutch roads, you just need what you’d use in the UK.

Various cities across the Netherlands have low-emission zones, which vary depending on city. Key cities of Amsterdam and Rotterdam are both included in this, too. You should check the rules for the individual city or cities before driving into them.

Motorways: 81mph (130km/h)

Suburban zones: 50mph (80km/h)

Urban zones: 31mph (50km/h)

Portugal

Drivers in Portugal must carry a photo ID, a reflective jacket and, if you intend to use them, prepaid motorway toll tickets. You can get hold of these through automated credit card system, a prepaid card activated by a text, a prepaid ticket or an electronic device that you can rent and link to your bank account. 

Emission restrictions are only in Lisbon, with vehicles registered after January 1996 allowed into the most central zone. Cars produced since 1992 can be driven into zone 2.

Motorways: 75mph (120km/h)

Suburban zones: 50mph (80km/h)

Urban zones: 31mph (50km/h)

Spain

Motorists are recommended to bring a reflective jacket, two warning triangles in the case of an accident or breakdown – although only one is compulsory – and a spare wheel with tools to change.

Various cities in Spain now have low-emission zones, with Madrid, Barcelona and Seville being the three most noteworthy. Rules change depending on the place, so it’s worth investigating individual requirements before travelling.

Motorways: 75mph (120km/h)

Dual carriageways: 62mph (100km/h)

Single lane roads: 56mph (90km/h)

Urban zones: 31mph (50km/h)

Residential zones: 12mph (20km/h)

Switzerland

Drivers need to buy a motorway tax sticker that’s displayed on the window. They can be bought online, and at most post offices and petrol stations in the country. A warning triangle must be in easy reach, and snow chains are required for winter driving.

Motorways: 75mph (120km/h)

Suburban zones: 56mph (90km/h)

Urban zones: 31mph (50km/h)

What else do you need?

Remember to take these important items with you on your travels:

- Passport

- Travel insurance documents

- Valid driving licence

- The V5C vehicle registration or log book

- Motor insurance certificate

- DVLA licence check code (if you’re hiring a vehicle)

- International driving permit

- Valid breakdown cover

- Loose change for toll machines

- Headlight converters

- Valid ‘GB’ sticker.

Information correct at time of publication [05/2023].