Driving the highways of Europe

08-11-2002

Although much of Europe now uses one form of currency, many differences remain among its two dozen nations. Consider rules and regulations of the road, such as speed limits.

Limited-access highways crisscross the continent, from Portugal to Sweden. Except for stretches of the German Autobahn, where drivers are permitted to proceed as fast as they safely can, speed limits are posted and strictly enforced.

Speed is measured in kilometers per hour everywhere except Britain; that limit translates to 80 miles per hour on superhighways in Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland, weather conditions permitting. In Belgium, Luxembourg and Spain, the maximum highway speed is 75; it's 70 in the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom, while Greece, Holland and Portugal try to keep highway drivers to 65 miles per hour. Although you may notice other drivers going much faster than the posted limit, don't automatically assume that the police aren't watching or that they permit drivers those few extra kilometers/miles per hour that people take for granted here.

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Also be aware that several countries monitor traffic flow with automatic devices that take pictures of offenders and forward a bill with any applicable fines to the party to whom the vehicle is registered. If you rented the car, you'll find the fine charged on a future credit card statement, which will certainly be something of a mystery weeks or months after you get home, not to mention difficult to contest. The same goes for parking fines.

Also know that if you are stopped by the police in many countries for any traffic infraction, the fines may be payable on the spot and in cash, which would definitely put a crimp in your travel budget. Even in minor accidents, the car can be impounded and the driver detained indefinitely pending a judicial decision. That is especially true in DUI cases.

Another common driving difference concerns the matter of right turns on red. With the exception of several cities in Germany, there are no legal right turns on red anywhere in Europe. In Britain and Ireland, where you drive on the left, no left turns on red are permitted.

And yielding: On most European roads, when two cars enter an intersection at the same time, the left-turning vehicle is generally required to yield to right-turning one. On narrow roads, downhill traffic must yield to the uphill traffic.

Seatbelt use is universally mandatory. European drivers are required by law to have a red warning triangle for emergencies and a first aid kit in their car. German drivers also must have fire extinguishers.

The required documentation for foreign drivers also varies from country to country.

For most nations in Western Europe, a valid driver's license issued by any American state or Canadian province is all that's necessary to take the wheel for visits of three months or less. But at least six countries -- Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain -- also require foreign drivers to have an International Driving Permit in addition to their regular license. Even in those countries that don't require IDPs, they're a good idea.

Translated into nine languages, IDPs are valid for one year from date of issue. They can be obtained from an authorized agency by licensed drivers over the age of 18. IDPs can be issued at any AAA office. You'll have to fill out a simple application and present a valid driver's license and two passport-sized photos. The cost for both AAA members and nonmembers is $10 and an additional $8.75 for the photos if you don't have your own.

Another place to obtain IDPs is the American Automobile Touring Alliance, which also charges $10. Its Web site, www.nationalautoclub.com, has an "international travel documents" link for downloading an application. The form can be mailed with the photos and a copy of the state driver's license, both front and back. Allow several weeks for delivery.

But also be wary of a recent spate of Internet spammers offering IDPs, often as an alternative for regular driver's licenses. According to a warning from the State Department: "IDPs are being sold over the Internet and in person by persons not authorized by the Department of State pursuant to the requirements of the UN Convention of 1949. Moreover, many of these IDPs are being sold for large sums of money, far greater than the sum charged by entities authorized by the Department."

Insurance coverage is another important issue for drivers in Europe, especially if you're renting a car.

Many American drivers are in the habit of declining the optional insurance when they rent cars in the United States, under the assumption that they're already protected by their regular personal or business automobile coverage. Others depend on automatic coverage provided by the credit card on which they charge the vehicle.

That may be true for domestic rentals, but it is not the case for cars rented in foreign counties. Find out from your insurance agent before leaving home whether you'll be covered in the countries you'll be visiting. If you are not covered, sign up for the protection when you rent the car, even if it adds significantly to the daily cost, which it certainly will.

And know that even that expensive coverage often doesn't permit you to drive into just any country. Cars rented in France, for example, cannot be taken into a wide variety of counties, including Greece, Hungary and Poland, without invalidating all the auto insurance you've purchased and leaving you liable for the entire cost of the car, as well as any damages or injury that occur as the result of an accident.

Other important rental points: Auto rental taxes and surcharges can be very significant, adding up to as much as 33 percent of the cost of the rental. Also, if you're picking up the car in one country or city and planning to return it in another, be aware that surcharges for drop-offs and one-way rentals can be huge.

Finally, at least two European nations, Switzerland and Austria, require drivers who use their highways to pay a special tax of about $25 for the privilege. All cars on these roads must display a valid "vignette," a window sticker signifying that the annual fee has been paid, or be subject to a stiff fine. Cars rented in Switzerland and Austria must already have these stickers, but if you're renting elsewhere and only passing through these countries, plan to purchase one at any border crossing.

For more details on driving in Europe, check www.drive-alive.co.uk/ or www.travlang.com/signs. The State Department also maintains a list of links to foreign country road Web sites: http://travel.state.gov/ road_safety.html#driving.

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