An American driving in Europe — what to learn? [closed]

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I've been driving over 20 years, but never outside the US. European driving is quite different, I hear, both rule of the road and other drivers' habits. If I was to drive in Europe what should I learn and how? Is it possible to take a "European Driving" course while still in US, so that I would arrive to Europe ready to rent a car on the 1st day? By "Europe" I mean continental EU, Germany and neighbors, not the left-side-of-the-road UK.










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closed as primarily opinion-based by choster, Traveller, bytebuster, Ali Awan, MJeffryes Feb 8 at 10:35


Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.













  • 7





    I really don't think it is all that different, and that is said as an American (who has driven all across Europe). Sure, you should look up the road signs for the country, and take it easy to begin with. Learn how to drive a manual as well (if you don't already know - it is getting less common in the US), or pay lots more for the rental car...

    – Jon Custer
    Feb 7 at 21:11






  • 5





    Only difference is that there's no right turn on red in Europe. Everything else is the same.

    – JonathanReez
    Feb 7 at 21:24






  • 3





    Except for when there is a special green arrow - then you have the right turn on red again. And sticking to the rightmost lane except for overtaking is taken more seriously.

    – helm
    Feb 7 at 21:25






  • 7





    First thing to learn is that Europe is made of many very different countries. You don't drive the same in Germany, France, Spain or UK.

    – Taladris
    Feb 8 at 1:28






  • 5





    I'd recommend the metric system.

    – Ian Kemp
    Feb 8 at 5:55















16















I've been driving over 20 years, but never outside the US. European driving is quite different, I hear, both rule of the road and other drivers' habits. If I was to drive in Europe what should I learn and how? Is it possible to take a "European Driving" course while still in US, so that I would arrive to Europe ready to rent a car on the 1st day? By "Europe" I mean continental EU, Germany and neighbors, not the left-side-of-the-road UK.










share|improve this question













closed as primarily opinion-based by choster, Traveller, bytebuster, Ali Awan, MJeffryes Feb 8 at 10:35


Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.













  • 7





    I really don't think it is all that different, and that is said as an American (who has driven all across Europe). Sure, you should look up the road signs for the country, and take it easy to begin with. Learn how to drive a manual as well (if you don't already know - it is getting less common in the US), or pay lots more for the rental car...

    – Jon Custer
    Feb 7 at 21:11






  • 5





    Only difference is that there's no right turn on red in Europe. Everything else is the same.

    – JonathanReez
    Feb 7 at 21:24






  • 3





    Except for when there is a special green arrow - then you have the right turn on red again. And sticking to the rightmost lane except for overtaking is taken more seriously.

    – helm
    Feb 7 at 21:25






  • 7





    First thing to learn is that Europe is made of many very different countries. You don't drive the same in Germany, France, Spain or UK.

    – Taladris
    Feb 8 at 1:28






  • 5





    I'd recommend the metric system.

    – Ian Kemp
    Feb 8 at 5:55













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16








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I've been driving over 20 years, but never outside the US. European driving is quite different, I hear, both rule of the road and other drivers' habits. If I was to drive in Europe what should I learn and how? Is it possible to take a "European Driving" course while still in US, so that I would arrive to Europe ready to rent a car on the 1st day? By "Europe" I mean continental EU, Germany and neighbors, not the left-side-of-the-road UK.










share|improve this question














I've been driving over 20 years, but never outside the US. European driving is quite different, I hear, both rule of the road and other drivers' habits. If I was to drive in Europe what should I learn and how? Is it possible to take a "European Driving" course while still in US, so that I would arrive to Europe ready to rent a car on the 1st day? By "Europe" I mean continental EU, Germany and neighbors, not the left-side-of-the-road UK.







europe driving driving-licenses






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asked Feb 7 at 21:04









MichaelMichael

19115




19115




closed as primarily opinion-based by choster, Traveller, bytebuster, Ali Awan, MJeffryes Feb 8 at 10:35


Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.









closed as primarily opinion-based by choster, Traveller, bytebuster, Ali Awan, MJeffryes Feb 8 at 10:35


Many good questions generate some degree of opinion based on expert experience, but answers to this question will tend to be almost entirely based on opinions, rather than facts, references, or specific expertise. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.









  • 7





    I really don't think it is all that different, and that is said as an American (who has driven all across Europe). Sure, you should look up the road signs for the country, and take it easy to begin with. Learn how to drive a manual as well (if you don't already know - it is getting less common in the US), or pay lots more for the rental car...

    – Jon Custer
    Feb 7 at 21:11






  • 5





    Only difference is that there's no right turn on red in Europe. Everything else is the same.

    – JonathanReez
    Feb 7 at 21:24






  • 3





    Except for when there is a special green arrow - then you have the right turn on red again. And sticking to the rightmost lane except for overtaking is taken more seriously.

    – helm
    Feb 7 at 21:25






  • 7





    First thing to learn is that Europe is made of many very different countries. You don't drive the same in Germany, France, Spain or UK.

    – Taladris
    Feb 8 at 1:28






  • 5





    I'd recommend the metric system.

    – Ian Kemp
    Feb 8 at 5:55












  • 7





    I really don't think it is all that different, and that is said as an American (who has driven all across Europe). Sure, you should look up the road signs for the country, and take it easy to begin with. Learn how to drive a manual as well (if you don't already know - it is getting less common in the US), or pay lots more for the rental car...

    – Jon Custer
    Feb 7 at 21:11






  • 5





    Only difference is that there's no right turn on red in Europe. Everything else is the same.

    – JonathanReez
    Feb 7 at 21:24






  • 3





    Except for when there is a special green arrow - then you have the right turn on red again. And sticking to the rightmost lane except for overtaking is taken more seriously.

    – helm
    Feb 7 at 21:25






  • 7





    First thing to learn is that Europe is made of many very different countries. You don't drive the same in Germany, France, Spain or UK.

    – Taladris
    Feb 8 at 1:28






  • 5





    I'd recommend the metric system.

    – Ian Kemp
    Feb 8 at 5:55







7




7





I really don't think it is all that different, and that is said as an American (who has driven all across Europe). Sure, you should look up the road signs for the country, and take it easy to begin with. Learn how to drive a manual as well (if you don't already know - it is getting less common in the US), or pay lots more for the rental car...

– Jon Custer
Feb 7 at 21:11





I really don't think it is all that different, and that is said as an American (who has driven all across Europe). Sure, you should look up the road signs for the country, and take it easy to begin with. Learn how to drive a manual as well (if you don't already know - it is getting less common in the US), or pay lots more for the rental car...

– Jon Custer
Feb 7 at 21:11




5




5





Only difference is that there's no right turn on red in Europe. Everything else is the same.

– JonathanReez
Feb 7 at 21:24





Only difference is that there's no right turn on red in Europe. Everything else is the same.

– JonathanReez
Feb 7 at 21:24




3




3





Except for when there is a special green arrow - then you have the right turn on red again. And sticking to the rightmost lane except for overtaking is taken more seriously.

– helm
Feb 7 at 21:25





Except for when there is a special green arrow - then you have the right turn on red again. And sticking to the rightmost lane except for overtaking is taken more seriously.

– helm
Feb 7 at 21:25




7




7





First thing to learn is that Europe is made of many very different countries. You don't drive the same in Germany, France, Spain or UK.

– Taladris
Feb 8 at 1:28





First thing to learn is that Europe is made of many very different countries. You don't drive the same in Germany, France, Spain or UK.

– Taladris
Feb 8 at 1:28




5




5





I'd recommend the metric system.

– Ian Kemp
Feb 8 at 5:55





I'd recommend the metric system.

– Ian Kemp
Feb 8 at 5:55










8 Answers
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I've driven for many years in the US and also gone through the process of getting my driver's license (again!) in the Netherlands. The below is based on my experience and there are some subtle differences between countries so beware.



First, to get it out of the way, almost all cars in Europe are manual transmissions, although some rental cars are automatics. In fact, if you take your driving test with an automatic, you are not allowed to drive a manual transmission until you take the exam again (after a mandatory 2 year waiting period!) with a manual transmission.



The other answers touch on some common things, but the single most important difference is in right-of-way. In Europe, they rely much less on stop signs and stoplights to regulate traffic. Instead, they rely more on traffic circles, "shark's teeth" and right-of-way rules. There are some other things as well.



Traffic Circles



There are two major forms of traffic circles: standard ones and "turbo" ones. Standard ones are the usual ones where one could potentially drive around them indefinitely. Turbo traffic circles may have one or two lanes for traffic entering from each side and do not permit making a full trip around the circle. Instead, one lane typically allows exiting to the right or straight across the circle, while the other permits exiting straight cross or 3/4 of the way around.



Shark's Teeth



Shark's teeth are just yield signs painted on the road in a "teeth" pattern. Much like there is a white line painted on the road where there is a stop sign in the US, these shark's teeth indicate you are to yield to traffic at the intersection.



Right-of-Way



The right-of-way rules take the most time and practice to get used to. There are two important aspects to this:



  1. In the absence of other indications on right-of-way, you must yield to the person coming from the right.

  2. Yellow diamonds are used to indicate when your road has right-of-way and you do not need to do this.

When there are no stop signs, yield signs or yellow diamond "right-of-way" signs at an intersection, then you must yield to the person on your right. These types of intersections are most common in residential areas. It is often difficult to know if someone is coming from the right unless you actively slow down and look carefully to your right before entering the intersection. It is important to do this though as cars coming from the right WILL expect you to yield.



There are a few more subtle aspects to this. You must yield right-of-way to a bus that is leaving a bus stop within city limits, but you do not have to do this outside city limits. Also, the yellow diamonds that regulate right-of-way are posted before the intersections they govern within city limits, but outside city limits the "right-of-way" starts after the intersection (and the sign is posted after the intersection) and continues through the next intersection, at which point it ends unless the signage repeats.



Other Differences of Note



Right turn on red. Many countries do not allow right turn on red. Where it is allowed, such as Poland, it is governed by a special right-arrow light at a traffic light. If the right arrow light is there and green, you can turn right on red after first coming to a full stop and then yielding to any other traffic. If there is no right arrow light, right on red is not allowed.



Traffic cameras. Many common traffic violations (speeding, going through red lights) are monitored by traffic cameras rather than patrol cars.



Speed limit signage. Speed limits in Europe are more complex. There are 3 areas where speeds are governed by "global limits" for that class of road: this is within built-up areas, on expressways and on motorways. If there is no explicit speedlimit in these areas, then the speedlimit is the national limit for that type of road. For example, in the Netherlands unless otherwise posted, the speed limits for a built-up areas is 50 km/h, an expressway is 100 km/h, and a motorway is 130 km/h. The key thing is unless otherwise posted. The European way is to "cancel" the previous explicit limit, which means the global limit for that class of road applies. Note also that each country has its own limits for these three classes of road, which, unhelpfully, is only posted when you first enter the country.



I'm not aware of any course in the US that teaches you all this. In practice, I think the most important thing to be aware of will be yielding to those on the right in residential areas. You can comfortably practice this around your own neighborhood in the US.






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  • 3





    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priority_to_the_right has a longer explanation and images of the relevant road signs. The priority road system is probably the most important thing for Americans to be familiar with when driving in Europe, as it does not exist in the USA.

    – Michael Hampton
    Feb 7 at 23:21







  • 2





    @npostavs True, but it's the rest of the system that will be foreign (pun not intended) to Americans, and uncontrolled intersections are pretty rare in the US anyway.

    – Michael Hampton
    Feb 8 at 0:33






  • 3





    I think it wasn't mentioned yet: There is also no turning right on a red traffic light, right and left turns at intersections usually have their own traffic lights. At least in Austria, I am not sure about other European countries however.

    – pat3d3r
    Feb 8 at 7:23






  • 2





    Some of this answer is generic for (continental) Europe, some of it is specific to particular countries, I think The Netherlands.

    – gerrit
    Feb 8 at 8:48






  • 3





    @Ferrybig Actually, it's the same in Germany and Luxembourg (where it's called the “Rettungsgasse”).

    – Relaxed
    Feb 8 at 9:51


















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Do not pass on the right.



Learn the right of way rules.



Here is the US military driving manual for Germany. It comes the major rules and if followed will work for almost everywhere in Europe.
http://www.usareurpracticetest.com/germany/documents/manual.pdf






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  • 4





    Ouch. I browsed through that document for some minutes and found a major bug: "If the owner cannot be located, leave a note indicating the driver’s name, address, telephone number, and insurance company." That is not enough. You MUST wait until the owner can be located or you call the police. The threshold for hit and run is 50 € (AFAIR), not 1500 €.

    – glglgl
    Feb 8 at 8:52






  • 2





    In addition to that, the rental agreement will pretty much require you to always call the police for any incident anyway. In general, you will need the "Aktenzeichen" (file number) of the police investigation to file an incident report with the rental company.

    – Jörg W Mittag
    Feb 8 at 8:58


















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In some European countries there some things that are compulsory to carry in the car.
Check for each country you're visiting what's required.



Confirm what's provided by the hire co. and what you need to source.



Such things as first aid kits, fire extinguishers, Hi_vis jackets (one per person or driver only), disposable breathalyzer kits, spare bulbs, warning triangles (2 in Spain), snow chains (seasonal I guess).






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  • 1





    snow chains would indeed be seasonal. They're also mandatory to use under certain conditions in some countries, while in others they're illegal to use under any condition (but may be carried).

    – jwenting
    Feb 8 at 5:30











  • Spare glasses if you need them to drive (Spain).

    – Peter Taylor
    Feb 8 at 21:03


















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Right-of-way rules are extremely important because everyone else drives as if you were going to respect them too, so it is easy to get into an accident by not knowing them. Other answers are covered this in great detail.



It is also important to know the default speed limits for the cities and between cities you will be travelling. The most puzzling sign I found in Denmark was a red circle with a bar over a number. This indicates that the shown number is no longer the speed limit. No units are specified but this number is in km/h instead of mph as in the US. The main point though is that the sign tells you what is not the speed limit but not the new limit. Instead, you return to be within the limit for the type of road and area (city-center, residential zone, intercity road) and, indeed you must know what that is.



Actual speed limit can be complicated. In Iceland, the sign is a matrix which I never managed to read entirely before passing! In one dimension, the type of vehicle is shown, in the other, the type road. The speed limit is the number, in km/h in the square which corresponds to your situation.



The wrong-way sign is a red circle with a white horizontal bar in it. This is seldom seen in the Americas.



enter image description here



Same for the no stopping and no parking ones:



enter image description here



Parking in Europe is vastly different from North America. The rules can be complex and local to some city zones too. In one place, I think it was Akureyri (IIRC), we had to buy a paper parking meter place in the car and manually indicate the marked time on it. Other places have sidewalk colors and I've many places where people parked partially on the sidewalk (although this might not have been legal). Going with the flow ensures you be no worse than the average but that won't make it legal in Europe. In contrast, California has laws that make following the flow a legal requirement in some cases!



While I visited 25 European countries, I have driven in 20 of them, relying on trains for the other 5, so I have a variety of experience driving, although based on so many less common rules, I'm sure to not have gotten everything 100% right. In the US, Canada, Ecador, Peru and Brazil, I have driven thousands of kilometres and the rules there a closer to those in Canada (Where I drove regularly for the best part of 30 years) and the US.






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  • 2





    yes, the parking disks are commonly used in many European countries. Kinda strange that one didn't come with your rental car but they're cheap. Overall you're correct. One caveat though: the speed limit cancellation sign has a variant where a speed is listed on it. If that's the case it cancels that specific limit only, leaving you with the next highest limit indicated on that segment of road. E.g. a 130kmh road was restricted to 100 and then further to 90. If the 90 is cancelled, the limit reverts to 100. If no speed is listed on the cancellation, it reverts to 130.

    – jwenting
    Feb 8 at 5:28






  • 3





    @jwenting Care to provide a reference? The speed limit cancellation sign without a number is not a speed limit cancellation. It is a cancellation of all prior restrictions (including speed), whereas the sign with the speed listed, afaik, cancels the speed limit to the default, not the previously posted. I.e., 130, in your example, not 100.

    – LLlAMnYP
    Feb 8 at 9:37











  • @LLlAMnYP That's how I was taught to interpret it 27 years ago when I got my driver's license. And that's how colleagues of me have been fined for driving 130 after a 90 was cancelled but an earlier 100 was not.

    – jwenting
    Feb 8 at 10:45






  • 1





    @jwenting A country specification would be in order. What you describe, is an incredibly complicated rule (suppose, someone enters a street after the 100 sign, but before the 90). strassenschilder.de/vorschriftszeichen/… This reference in German states that such a sign reverts to the default and make no mention of anything else. I can only guess that the 130 in your unfortunate example was actually above the default speed limit for the kind of road you were on.

    – LLlAMnYP
    Feb 8 at 11:06


















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Road safety and traffic rules differ within the EU



Road safety and traffic rules differ within the EU, see an official page for this, going deeper in each country-specific one. BTW main rules are common.



Main differences I can recall:



  • In the European Union member states in general, it is illegal to turn on a red light, unless it is indicated otherwise, for example by a green arrow on a red light (but in this case you have to allow any other one --cars as people-- to pass before you).


  • Almost pernicious is the fact that if there is a supplementary green arrow to turn (left or, more often, only right) you can turn only when it is lighted on, even if in the main semaphore there is a full green lighted on (They are changing those one with a straight arrow instead of the full green).



    enter image description here



  • Keep the right as you can, do not overcome on the right (it may be allowed if the street is with three or more lines -- of course switch right with left in UK & co.).


  • Usually a more more narrow spaces available for the cars, specially in the historical centers. Narrow streets and you can find car parked with 2-3 fingers of distance between them. (Just to understand why many people buy little cars).

  • In some countries (if I remember well e.g. in Austria), the highways are on payment on a year base and the payment is displayed with a sticker on the front glass. Picture are taken and fine issued if not present. In other countries you pay when you exit but you need to take the ticket when you enter (It's payed on a base proportional to the km used).

  • Remember to check for which countries the insurance is valid. The car insurance is obligatory.

  • As already reported by Eric, "almost all cars in Europe are manual transmissions, although some rental cars are automatics" (and you have to pay more for this).

    This means also that they accelerate from a stop more promptly, and that they afford the curves with a different driving style (with an automatic car you need to start to decelerate before then with a manual front-wheel drive one); with sufficient high speed it can cause you at least discomfort.


  • Remember to drive on the left side of the road in Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom. It seems silly but after that you drive for a while on one of the single track road of Scotland, crossing few other people, you can easily forget it. Moreover you cross another tourist with the same amnesia!

    In those countries I strongly suggest you to rent an automatic car.






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  • +1 For the "it is illegal to turn on a red light" Never forget this. Red light = total stop of car.

    – Med
    Feb 8 at 10:30











  • The point on supplementary green arrow isn't intirely correct. It goes like this: green arrow lit => turn allowed and you have the right of way; red arrow lit => turn illegal; no arrow lit => follow the main lights.

    – StrangerToKindness
    Feb 8 at 10:52


















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  1. If is best to have an International Drives License (which is basically just a translation to several languages) available from AAA. Many do not bother with this and is generally not required by car rental companies.


  2. Some cities have "ZTL" (limited traffic) areas where traffic is limited to vehicle with proper stickers/registration) and the fine can be large.


  3. If there may be snow some countries (Italy is one) and it does snow you must have snow chains at least in the car. We got caught in a sudden/unexpected snow and had to buy snow chains which are often provided free for the asking when renting.


Se the answer by @canonacer for more information.






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    2














    I've been living in Austria and driving in Europe for 15+ years now and have some experience with driving in the US.



    The only practical differences I can think of are:



    • left turns on highways are not as common here, you mostly leave highways by moving to the right lane and taking an exit from there

    • when turning, people really keep to their lane (e.g. when three lanes in one direction turn left all at once, a truck in the middle lane doesn't take half of the innermost left lane too...)

    • no passing on the right

    • you can pass school buses on bus stops no problem

    • lanes, parking lots outside as well as underground parks tend to be narrower here than in the US





    share|improve this answer




















    • 4





      About the school busses: if they have hazard lights on while driving, you are not allowed to overtake. If they have it on while at the bus stop, overtake with extreme care an walking speed, only. This applies to Germany, no idea about Austria.

      – sweber
      Feb 7 at 23:50


















    2














    You have to get used to narrow roads, narrow parking places, narrow parking garages
    and almost no street parking space anywhere in cities. Not even in suburbs.



    Cycling is a thing in Europe and not all cyclists follow rules.

    Motor cycles are also common and their riders do sometimes also not follow the rules.



    But the most important thing you have to learn is the odd road signs you will encounter. Almost no texts, which may come in handy as if you don't speak multiple languages, but lots of pictograms which slightly differ from country to country.



    As you specifically asked about Germany, as an example which may come surprising to you, take this sign:



    https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verkehrsberuhigter_Bereich



    A friendly place, isn't it? So, could anything bad happen here? Yes, because this sign indicates a living street and speed is restricted to 5 km/h. Parking is also restricted, and you have to yield to traffic when you leave it again. Failure to do any of this will lead to a fine or even worse, an accident.






    share|improve this answer




















    • 6





      I'm sorry, I've given you a downvote because of the phrase "bikers are outlaws". While I concede that some/many bicyclists follow their own minds, it is patently false to say they are outlaws (in all the EU countries I am aware of) because there are indeed traffic laws for bicyclists and how they should interact with other traffic.

      – KlaymenDK
      Feb 8 at 2:28











    • I've given you an upvote because I shuddered to imagine an outlaw biker coming up that friendly street and knocking down that boy with the ball. That's just the kind of thing they do.

      – davidbak
      Feb 8 at 3:31







    • 6





      "Biking is a thing in Europe and bikers are outlaws. " Are you talking about criminal motorbike gangs?

      – Qwertie
      Feb 8 at 5:28











    • That sign, or one very similar, exists in the Netherlands as well. Be extremely cautious driving there, people expect you to drive at a walking pace. Typically the area tends to have a lot of speed bumps, especially at the entrances, and other speed reducing features like chicanes.

      – jwenting
      Feb 8 at 5:34






    • 2





      @MichaelHampton That's the idea. Those signs are placed in some residential areas. It allows children to play outside more safely.

      – Michaël Demey
      Feb 8 at 8:22

















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    8 Answers
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    23














    I've driven for many years in the US and also gone through the process of getting my driver's license (again!) in the Netherlands. The below is based on my experience and there are some subtle differences between countries so beware.



    First, to get it out of the way, almost all cars in Europe are manual transmissions, although some rental cars are automatics. In fact, if you take your driving test with an automatic, you are not allowed to drive a manual transmission until you take the exam again (after a mandatory 2 year waiting period!) with a manual transmission.



    The other answers touch on some common things, but the single most important difference is in right-of-way. In Europe, they rely much less on stop signs and stoplights to regulate traffic. Instead, they rely more on traffic circles, "shark's teeth" and right-of-way rules. There are some other things as well.



    Traffic Circles



    There are two major forms of traffic circles: standard ones and "turbo" ones. Standard ones are the usual ones where one could potentially drive around them indefinitely. Turbo traffic circles may have one or two lanes for traffic entering from each side and do not permit making a full trip around the circle. Instead, one lane typically allows exiting to the right or straight across the circle, while the other permits exiting straight cross or 3/4 of the way around.



    Shark's Teeth



    Shark's teeth are just yield signs painted on the road in a "teeth" pattern. Much like there is a white line painted on the road where there is a stop sign in the US, these shark's teeth indicate you are to yield to traffic at the intersection.



    Right-of-Way



    The right-of-way rules take the most time and practice to get used to. There are two important aspects to this:



    1. In the absence of other indications on right-of-way, you must yield to the person coming from the right.

    2. Yellow diamonds are used to indicate when your road has right-of-way and you do not need to do this.

    When there are no stop signs, yield signs or yellow diamond "right-of-way" signs at an intersection, then you must yield to the person on your right. These types of intersections are most common in residential areas. It is often difficult to know if someone is coming from the right unless you actively slow down and look carefully to your right before entering the intersection. It is important to do this though as cars coming from the right WILL expect you to yield.



    There are a few more subtle aspects to this. You must yield right-of-way to a bus that is leaving a bus stop within city limits, but you do not have to do this outside city limits. Also, the yellow diamonds that regulate right-of-way are posted before the intersections they govern within city limits, but outside city limits the "right-of-way" starts after the intersection (and the sign is posted after the intersection) and continues through the next intersection, at which point it ends unless the signage repeats.



    Other Differences of Note



    Right turn on red. Many countries do not allow right turn on red. Where it is allowed, such as Poland, it is governed by a special right-arrow light at a traffic light. If the right arrow light is there and green, you can turn right on red after first coming to a full stop and then yielding to any other traffic. If there is no right arrow light, right on red is not allowed.



    Traffic cameras. Many common traffic violations (speeding, going through red lights) are monitored by traffic cameras rather than patrol cars.



    Speed limit signage. Speed limits in Europe are more complex. There are 3 areas where speeds are governed by "global limits" for that class of road: this is within built-up areas, on expressways and on motorways. If there is no explicit speedlimit in these areas, then the speedlimit is the national limit for that type of road. For example, in the Netherlands unless otherwise posted, the speed limits for a built-up areas is 50 km/h, an expressway is 100 km/h, and a motorway is 130 km/h. The key thing is unless otherwise posted. The European way is to "cancel" the previous explicit limit, which means the global limit for that class of road applies. Note also that each country has its own limits for these three classes of road, which, unhelpfully, is only posted when you first enter the country.



    I'm not aware of any course in the US that teaches you all this. In practice, I think the most important thing to be aware of will be yielding to those on the right in residential areas. You can comfortably practice this around your own neighborhood in the US.






    share|improve this answer




















    • 3





      en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priority_to_the_right has a longer explanation and images of the relevant road signs. The priority road system is probably the most important thing for Americans to be familiar with when driving in Europe, as it does not exist in the USA.

      – Michael Hampton
      Feb 7 at 23:21







    • 2





      @npostavs True, but it's the rest of the system that will be foreign (pun not intended) to Americans, and uncontrolled intersections are pretty rare in the US anyway.

      – Michael Hampton
      Feb 8 at 0:33






    • 3





      I think it wasn't mentioned yet: There is also no turning right on a red traffic light, right and left turns at intersections usually have their own traffic lights. At least in Austria, I am not sure about other European countries however.

      – pat3d3r
      Feb 8 at 7:23






    • 2





      Some of this answer is generic for (continental) Europe, some of it is specific to particular countries, I think The Netherlands.

      – gerrit
      Feb 8 at 8:48






    • 3





      @Ferrybig Actually, it's the same in Germany and Luxembourg (where it's called the “Rettungsgasse”).

      – Relaxed
      Feb 8 at 9:51















    23














    I've driven for many years in the US and also gone through the process of getting my driver's license (again!) in the Netherlands. The below is based on my experience and there are some subtle differences between countries so beware.



    First, to get it out of the way, almost all cars in Europe are manual transmissions, although some rental cars are automatics. In fact, if you take your driving test with an automatic, you are not allowed to drive a manual transmission until you take the exam again (after a mandatory 2 year waiting period!) with a manual transmission.



    The other answers touch on some common things, but the single most important difference is in right-of-way. In Europe, they rely much less on stop signs and stoplights to regulate traffic. Instead, they rely more on traffic circles, "shark's teeth" and right-of-way rules. There are some other things as well.



    Traffic Circles



    There are two major forms of traffic circles: standard ones and "turbo" ones. Standard ones are the usual ones where one could potentially drive around them indefinitely. Turbo traffic circles may have one or two lanes for traffic entering from each side and do not permit making a full trip around the circle. Instead, one lane typically allows exiting to the right or straight across the circle, while the other permits exiting straight cross or 3/4 of the way around.



    Shark's Teeth



    Shark's teeth are just yield signs painted on the road in a "teeth" pattern. Much like there is a white line painted on the road where there is a stop sign in the US, these shark's teeth indicate you are to yield to traffic at the intersection.



    Right-of-Way



    The right-of-way rules take the most time and practice to get used to. There are two important aspects to this:



    1. In the absence of other indications on right-of-way, you must yield to the person coming from the right.

    2. Yellow diamonds are used to indicate when your road has right-of-way and you do not need to do this.

    When there are no stop signs, yield signs or yellow diamond "right-of-way" signs at an intersection, then you must yield to the person on your right. These types of intersections are most common in residential areas. It is often difficult to know if someone is coming from the right unless you actively slow down and look carefully to your right before entering the intersection. It is important to do this though as cars coming from the right WILL expect you to yield.



    There are a few more subtle aspects to this. You must yield right-of-way to a bus that is leaving a bus stop within city limits, but you do not have to do this outside city limits. Also, the yellow diamonds that regulate right-of-way are posted before the intersections they govern within city limits, but outside city limits the "right-of-way" starts after the intersection (and the sign is posted after the intersection) and continues through the next intersection, at which point it ends unless the signage repeats.



    Other Differences of Note



    Right turn on red. Many countries do not allow right turn on red. Where it is allowed, such as Poland, it is governed by a special right-arrow light at a traffic light. If the right arrow light is there and green, you can turn right on red after first coming to a full stop and then yielding to any other traffic. If there is no right arrow light, right on red is not allowed.



    Traffic cameras. Many common traffic violations (speeding, going through red lights) are monitored by traffic cameras rather than patrol cars.



    Speed limit signage. Speed limits in Europe are more complex. There are 3 areas where speeds are governed by "global limits" for that class of road: this is within built-up areas, on expressways and on motorways. If there is no explicit speedlimit in these areas, then the speedlimit is the national limit for that type of road. For example, in the Netherlands unless otherwise posted, the speed limits for a built-up areas is 50 km/h, an expressway is 100 km/h, and a motorway is 130 km/h. The key thing is unless otherwise posted. The European way is to "cancel" the previous explicit limit, which means the global limit for that class of road applies. Note also that each country has its own limits for these three classes of road, which, unhelpfully, is only posted when you first enter the country.



    I'm not aware of any course in the US that teaches you all this. In practice, I think the most important thing to be aware of will be yielding to those on the right in residential areas. You can comfortably practice this around your own neighborhood in the US.






    share|improve this answer




















    • 3





      en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priority_to_the_right has a longer explanation and images of the relevant road signs. The priority road system is probably the most important thing for Americans to be familiar with when driving in Europe, as it does not exist in the USA.

      – Michael Hampton
      Feb 7 at 23:21







    • 2





      @npostavs True, but it's the rest of the system that will be foreign (pun not intended) to Americans, and uncontrolled intersections are pretty rare in the US anyway.

      – Michael Hampton
      Feb 8 at 0:33






    • 3





      I think it wasn't mentioned yet: There is also no turning right on a red traffic light, right and left turns at intersections usually have their own traffic lights. At least in Austria, I am not sure about other European countries however.

      – pat3d3r
      Feb 8 at 7:23






    • 2





      Some of this answer is generic for (continental) Europe, some of it is specific to particular countries, I think The Netherlands.

      – gerrit
      Feb 8 at 8:48






    • 3





      @Ferrybig Actually, it's the same in Germany and Luxembourg (where it's called the “Rettungsgasse”).

      – Relaxed
      Feb 8 at 9:51













    23












    23








    23







    I've driven for many years in the US and also gone through the process of getting my driver's license (again!) in the Netherlands. The below is based on my experience and there are some subtle differences between countries so beware.



    First, to get it out of the way, almost all cars in Europe are manual transmissions, although some rental cars are automatics. In fact, if you take your driving test with an automatic, you are not allowed to drive a manual transmission until you take the exam again (after a mandatory 2 year waiting period!) with a manual transmission.



    The other answers touch on some common things, but the single most important difference is in right-of-way. In Europe, they rely much less on stop signs and stoplights to regulate traffic. Instead, they rely more on traffic circles, "shark's teeth" and right-of-way rules. There are some other things as well.



    Traffic Circles



    There are two major forms of traffic circles: standard ones and "turbo" ones. Standard ones are the usual ones where one could potentially drive around them indefinitely. Turbo traffic circles may have one or two lanes for traffic entering from each side and do not permit making a full trip around the circle. Instead, one lane typically allows exiting to the right or straight across the circle, while the other permits exiting straight cross or 3/4 of the way around.



    Shark's Teeth



    Shark's teeth are just yield signs painted on the road in a "teeth" pattern. Much like there is a white line painted on the road where there is a stop sign in the US, these shark's teeth indicate you are to yield to traffic at the intersection.



    Right-of-Way



    The right-of-way rules take the most time and practice to get used to. There are two important aspects to this:



    1. In the absence of other indications on right-of-way, you must yield to the person coming from the right.

    2. Yellow diamonds are used to indicate when your road has right-of-way and you do not need to do this.

    When there are no stop signs, yield signs or yellow diamond "right-of-way" signs at an intersection, then you must yield to the person on your right. These types of intersections are most common in residential areas. It is often difficult to know if someone is coming from the right unless you actively slow down and look carefully to your right before entering the intersection. It is important to do this though as cars coming from the right WILL expect you to yield.



    There are a few more subtle aspects to this. You must yield right-of-way to a bus that is leaving a bus stop within city limits, but you do not have to do this outside city limits. Also, the yellow diamonds that regulate right-of-way are posted before the intersections they govern within city limits, but outside city limits the "right-of-way" starts after the intersection (and the sign is posted after the intersection) and continues through the next intersection, at which point it ends unless the signage repeats.



    Other Differences of Note



    Right turn on red. Many countries do not allow right turn on red. Where it is allowed, such as Poland, it is governed by a special right-arrow light at a traffic light. If the right arrow light is there and green, you can turn right on red after first coming to a full stop and then yielding to any other traffic. If there is no right arrow light, right on red is not allowed.



    Traffic cameras. Many common traffic violations (speeding, going through red lights) are monitored by traffic cameras rather than patrol cars.



    Speed limit signage. Speed limits in Europe are more complex. There are 3 areas where speeds are governed by "global limits" for that class of road: this is within built-up areas, on expressways and on motorways. If there is no explicit speedlimit in these areas, then the speedlimit is the national limit for that type of road. For example, in the Netherlands unless otherwise posted, the speed limits for a built-up areas is 50 km/h, an expressway is 100 km/h, and a motorway is 130 km/h. The key thing is unless otherwise posted. The European way is to "cancel" the previous explicit limit, which means the global limit for that class of road applies. Note also that each country has its own limits for these three classes of road, which, unhelpfully, is only posted when you first enter the country.



    I'm not aware of any course in the US that teaches you all this. In practice, I think the most important thing to be aware of will be yielding to those on the right in residential areas. You can comfortably practice this around your own neighborhood in the US.






    share|improve this answer















    I've driven for many years in the US and also gone through the process of getting my driver's license (again!) in the Netherlands. The below is based on my experience and there are some subtle differences between countries so beware.



    First, to get it out of the way, almost all cars in Europe are manual transmissions, although some rental cars are automatics. In fact, if you take your driving test with an automatic, you are not allowed to drive a manual transmission until you take the exam again (after a mandatory 2 year waiting period!) with a manual transmission.



    The other answers touch on some common things, but the single most important difference is in right-of-way. In Europe, they rely much less on stop signs and stoplights to regulate traffic. Instead, they rely more on traffic circles, "shark's teeth" and right-of-way rules. There are some other things as well.



    Traffic Circles



    There are two major forms of traffic circles: standard ones and "turbo" ones. Standard ones are the usual ones where one could potentially drive around them indefinitely. Turbo traffic circles may have one or two lanes for traffic entering from each side and do not permit making a full trip around the circle. Instead, one lane typically allows exiting to the right or straight across the circle, while the other permits exiting straight cross or 3/4 of the way around.



    Shark's Teeth



    Shark's teeth are just yield signs painted on the road in a "teeth" pattern. Much like there is a white line painted on the road where there is a stop sign in the US, these shark's teeth indicate you are to yield to traffic at the intersection.



    Right-of-Way



    The right-of-way rules take the most time and practice to get used to. There are two important aspects to this:



    1. In the absence of other indications on right-of-way, you must yield to the person coming from the right.

    2. Yellow diamonds are used to indicate when your road has right-of-way and you do not need to do this.

    When there are no stop signs, yield signs or yellow diamond "right-of-way" signs at an intersection, then you must yield to the person on your right. These types of intersections are most common in residential areas. It is often difficult to know if someone is coming from the right unless you actively slow down and look carefully to your right before entering the intersection. It is important to do this though as cars coming from the right WILL expect you to yield.



    There are a few more subtle aspects to this. You must yield right-of-way to a bus that is leaving a bus stop within city limits, but you do not have to do this outside city limits. Also, the yellow diamonds that regulate right-of-way are posted before the intersections they govern within city limits, but outside city limits the "right-of-way" starts after the intersection (and the sign is posted after the intersection) and continues through the next intersection, at which point it ends unless the signage repeats.



    Other Differences of Note



    Right turn on red. Many countries do not allow right turn on red. Where it is allowed, such as Poland, it is governed by a special right-arrow light at a traffic light. If the right arrow light is there and green, you can turn right on red after first coming to a full stop and then yielding to any other traffic. If there is no right arrow light, right on red is not allowed.



    Traffic cameras. Many common traffic violations (speeding, going through red lights) are monitored by traffic cameras rather than patrol cars.



    Speed limit signage. Speed limits in Europe are more complex. There are 3 areas where speeds are governed by "global limits" for that class of road: this is within built-up areas, on expressways and on motorways. If there is no explicit speedlimit in these areas, then the speedlimit is the national limit for that type of road. For example, in the Netherlands unless otherwise posted, the speed limits for a built-up areas is 50 km/h, an expressway is 100 km/h, and a motorway is 130 km/h. The key thing is unless otherwise posted. The European way is to "cancel" the previous explicit limit, which means the global limit for that class of road applies. Note also that each country has its own limits for these three classes of road, which, unhelpfully, is only posted when you first enter the country.



    I'm not aware of any course in the US that teaches you all this. In practice, I think the most important thing to be aware of will be yielding to those on the right in residential areas. You can comfortably practice this around your own neighborhood in the US.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Feb 8 at 17:29

























    answered Feb 7 at 22:19









    EricEric

    48028




    48028







    • 3





      en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priority_to_the_right has a longer explanation and images of the relevant road signs. The priority road system is probably the most important thing for Americans to be familiar with when driving in Europe, as it does not exist in the USA.

      – Michael Hampton
      Feb 7 at 23:21







    • 2





      @npostavs True, but it's the rest of the system that will be foreign (pun not intended) to Americans, and uncontrolled intersections are pretty rare in the US anyway.

      – Michael Hampton
      Feb 8 at 0:33






    • 3





      I think it wasn't mentioned yet: There is also no turning right on a red traffic light, right and left turns at intersections usually have their own traffic lights. At least in Austria, I am not sure about other European countries however.

      – pat3d3r
      Feb 8 at 7:23






    • 2





      Some of this answer is generic for (continental) Europe, some of it is specific to particular countries, I think The Netherlands.

      – gerrit
      Feb 8 at 8:48






    • 3





      @Ferrybig Actually, it's the same in Germany and Luxembourg (where it's called the “Rettungsgasse”).

      – Relaxed
      Feb 8 at 9:51












    • 3





      en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priority_to_the_right has a longer explanation and images of the relevant road signs. The priority road system is probably the most important thing for Americans to be familiar with when driving in Europe, as it does not exist in the USA.

      – Michael Hampton
      Feb 7 at 23:21







    • 2





      @npostavs True, but it's the rest of the system that will be foreign (pun not intended) to Americans, and uncontrolled intersections are pretty rare in the US anyway.

      – Michael Hampton
      Feb 8 at 0:33






    • 3





      I think it wasn't mentioned yet: There is also no turning right on a red traffic light, right and left turns at intersections usually have their own traffic lights. At least in Austria, I am not sure about other European countries however.

      – pat3d3r
      Feb 8 at 7:23






    • 2





      Some of this answer is generic for (continental) Europe, some of it is specific to particular countries, I think The Netherlands.

      – gerrit
      Feb 8 at 8:48






    • 3





      @Ferrybig Actually, it's the same in Germany and Luxembourg (where it's called the “Rettungsgasse”).

      – Relaxed
      Feb 8 at 9:51







    3




    3





    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priority_to_the_right has a longer explanation and images of the relevant road signs. The priority road system is probably the most important thing for Americans to be familiar with when driving in Europe, as it does not exist in the USA.

    – Michael Hampton
    Feb 7 at 23:21






    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priority_to_the_right has a longer explanation and images of the relevant road signs. The priority road system is probably the most important thing for Americans to be familiar with when driving in Europe, as it does not exist in the USA.

    – Michael Hampton
    Feb 7 at 23:21





    2




    2





    @npostavs True, but it's the rest of the system that will be foreign (pun not intended) to Americans, and uncontrolled intersections are pretty rare in the US anyway.

    – Michael Hampton
    Feb 8 at 0:33





    @npostavs True, but it's the rest of the system that will be foreign (pun not intended) to Americans, and uncontrolled intersections are pretty rare in the US anyway.

    – Michael Hampton
    Feb 8 at 0:33




    3




    3





    I think it wasn't mentioned yet: There is also no turning right on a red traffic light, right and left turns at intersections usually have their own traffic lights. At least in Austria, I am not sure about other European countries however.

    – pat3d3r
    Feb 8 at 7:23





    I think it wasn't mentioned yet: There is also no turning right on a red traffic light, right and left turns at intersections usually have their own traffic lights. At least in Austria, I am not sure about other European countries however.

    – pat3d3r
    Feb 8 at 7:23




    2




    2





    Some of this answer is generic for (continental) Europe, some of it is specific to particular countries, I think The Netherlands.

    – gerrit
    Feb 8 at 8:48





    Some of this answer is generic for (continental) Europe, some of it is specific to particular countries, I think The Netherlands.

    – gerrit
    Feb 8 at 8:48




    3




    3





    @Ferrybig Actually, it's the same in Germany and Luxembourg (where it's called the “Rettungsgasse”).

    – Relaxed
    Feb 8 at 9:51





    @Ferrybig Actually, it's the same in Germany and Luxembourg (where it's called the “Rettungsgasse”).

    – Relaxed
    Feb 8 at 9:51













    17














    Do not pass on the right.



    Learn the right of way rules.



    Here is the US military driving manual for Germany. It comes the major rules and if followed will work for almost everywhere in Europe.
    http://www.usareurpracticetest.com/germany/documents/manual.pdf






    share|improve this answer


















    • 4





      Ouch. I browsed through that document for some minutes and found a major bug: "If the owner cannot be located, leave a note indicating the driver’s name, address, telephone number, and insurance company." That is not enough. You MUST wait until the owner can be located or you call the police. The threshold for hit and run is 50 € (AFAIR), not 1500 €.

      – glglgl
      Feb 8 at 8:52






    • 2





      In addition to that, the rental agreement will pretty much require you to always call the police for any incident anyway. In general, you will need the "Aktenzeichen" (file number) of the police investigation to file an incident report with the rental company.

      – Jörg W Mittag
      Feb 8 at 8:58















    17














    Do not pass on the right.



    Learn the right of way rules.



    Here is the US military driving manual for Germany. It comes the major rules and if followed will work for almost everywhere in Europe.
    http://www.usareurpracticetest.com/germany/documents/manual.pdf






    share|improve this answer


















    • 4





      Ouch. I browsed through that document for some minutes and found a major bug: "If the owner cannot be located, leave a note indicating the driver’s name, address, telephone number, and insurance company." That is not enough. You MUST wait until the owner can be located or you call the police. The threshold for hit and run is 50 € (AFAIR), not 1500 €.

      – glglgl
      Feb 8 at 8:52






    • 2





      In addition to that, the rental agreement will pretty much require you to always call the police for any incident anyway. In general, you will need the "Aktenzeichen" (file number) of the police investigation to file an incident report with the rental company.

      – Jörg W Mittag
      Feb 8 at 8:58













    17












    17








    17







    Do not pass on the right.



    Learn the right of way rules.



    Here is the US military driving manual for Germany. It comes the major rules and if followed will work for almost everywhere in Europe.
    http://www.usareurpracticetest.com/germany/documents/manual.pdf






    share|improve this answer













    Do not pass on the right.



    Learn the right of way rules.



    Here is the US military driving manual for Germany. It comes the major rules and if followed will work for almost everywhere in Europe.
    http://www.usareurpracticetest.com/germany/documents/manual.pdf







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Feb 8 at 0:16









    Will DieterichWill Dieterich

    27113




    27113







    • 4





      Ouch. I browsed through that document for some minutes and found a major bug: "If the owner cannot be located, leave a note indicating the driver’s name, address, telephone number, and insurance company." That is not enough. You MUST wait until the owner can be located or you call the police. The threshold for hit and run is 50 € (AFAIR), not 1500 €.

      – glglgl
      Feb 8 at 8:52






    • 2





      In addition to that, the rental agreement will pretty much require you to always call the police for any incident anyway. In general, you will need the "Aktenzeichen" (file number) of the police investigation to file an incident report with the rental company.

      – Jörg W Mittag
      Feb 8 at 8:58












    • 4





      Ouch. I browsed through that document for some minutes and found a major bug: "If the owner cannot be located, leave a note indicating the driver’s name, address, telephone number, and insurance company." That is not enough. You MUST wait until the owner can be located or you call the police. The threshold for hit and run is 50 € (AFAIR), not 1500 €.

      – glglgl
      Feb 8 at 8:52






    • 2





      In addition to that, the rental agreement will pretty much require you to always call the police for any incident anyway. In general, you will need the "Aktenzeichen" (file number) of the police investigation to file an incident report with the rental company.

      – Jörg W Mittag
      Feb 8 at 8:58







    4




    4





    Ouch. I browsed through that document for some minutes and found a major bug: "If the owner cannot be located, leave a note indicating the driver’s name, address, telephone number, and insurance company." That is not enough. You MUST wait until the owner can be located or you call the police. The threshold for hit and run is 50 € (AFAIR), not 1500 €.

    – glglgl
    Feb 8 at 8:52





    Ouch. I browsed through that document for some minutes and found a major bug: "If the owner cannot be located, leave a note indicating the driver’s name, address, telephone number, and insurance company." That is not enough. You MUST wait until the owner can be located or you call the police. The threshold for hit and run is 50 € (AFAIR), not 1500 €.

    – glglgl
    Feb 8 at 8:52




    2




    2





    In addition to that, the rental agreement will pretty much require you to always call the police for any incident anyway. In general, you will need the "Aktenzeichen" (file number) of the police investigation to file an incident report with the rental company.

    – Jörg W Mittag
    Feb 8 at 8:58





    In addition to that, the rental agreement will pretty much require you to always call the police for any incident anyway. In general, you will need the "Aktenzeichen" (file number) of the police investigation to file an incident report with the rental company.

    – Jörg W Mittag
    Feb 8 at 8:58











    14














    In some European countries there some things that are compulsory to carry in the car.
    Check for each country you're visiting what's required.



    Confirm what's provided by the hire co. and what you need to source.



    Such things as first aid kits, fire extinguishers, Hi_vis jackets (one per person or driver only), disposable breathalyzer kits, spare bulbs, warning triangles (2 in Spain), snow chains (seasonal I guess).






    share|improve this answer


















    • 1





      snow chains would indeed be seasonal. They're also mandatory to use under certain conditions in some countries, while in others they're illegal to use under any condition (but may be carried).

      – jwenting
      Feb 8 at 5:30











    • Spare glasses if you need them to drive (Spain).

      – Peter Taylor
      Feb 8 at 21:03















    14














    In some European countries there some things that are compulsory to carry in the car.
    Check for each country you're visiting what's required.



    Confirm what's provided by the hire co. and what you need to source.



    Such things as first aid kits, fire extinguishers, Hi_vis jackets (one per person or driver only), disposable breathalyzer kits, spare bulbs, warning triangles (2 in Spain), snow chains (seasonal I guess).






    share|improve this answer


















    • 1





      snow chains would indeed be seasonal. They're also mandatory to use under certain conditions in some countries, while in others they're illegal to use under any condition (but may be carried).

      – jwenting
      Feb 8 at 5:30











    • Spare glasses if you need them to drive (Spain).

      – Peter Taylor
      Feb 8 at 21:03













    14












    14








    14







    In some European countries there some things that are compulsory to carry in the car.
    Check for each country you're visiting what's required.



    Confirm what's provided by the hire co. and what you need to source.



    Such things as first aid kits, fire extinguishers, Hi_vis jackets (one per person or driver only), disposable breathalyzer kits, spare bulbs, warning triangles (2 in Spain), snow chains (seasonal I guess).






    share|improve this answer













    In some European countries there some things that are compulsory to carry in the car.
    Check for each country you're visiting what's required.



    Confirm what's provided by the hire co. and what you need to source.



    Such things as first aid kits, fire extinguishers, Hi_vis jackets (one per person or driver only), disposable breathalyzer kits, spare bulbs, warning triangles (2 in Spain), snow chains (seasonal I guess).







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Feb 7 at 21:40









    canonacercanonacer

    56017




    56017







    • 1





      snow chains would indeed be seasonal. They're also mandatory to use under certain conditions in some countries, while in others they're illegal to use under any condition (but may be carried).

      – jwenting
      Feb 8 at 5:30











    • Spare glasses if you need them to drive (Spain).

      – Peter Taylor
      Feb 8 at 21:03












    • 1





      snow chains would indeed be seasonal. They're also mandatory to use under certain conditions in some countries, while in others they're illegal to use under any condition (but may be carried).

      – jwenting
      Feb 8 at 5:30











    • Spare glasses if you need them to drive (Spain).

      – Peter Taylor
      Feb 8 at 21:03







    1




    1





    snow chains would indeed be seasonal. They're also mandatory to use under certain conditions in some countries, while in others they're illegal to use under any condition (but may be carried).

    – jwenting
    Feb 8 at 5:30





    snow chains would indeed be seasonal. They're also mandatory to use under certain conditions in some countries, while in others they're illegal to use under any condition (but may be carried).

    – jwenting
    Feb 8 at 5:30













    Spare glasses if you need them to drive (Spain).

    – Peter Taylor
    Feb 8 at 21:03





    Spare glasses if you need them to drive (Spain).

    – Peter Taylor
    Feb 8 at 21:03











    5














    Right-of-way rules are extremely important because everyone else drives as if you were going to respect them too, so it is easy to get into an accident by not knowing them. Other answers are covered this in great detail.



    It is also important to know the default speed limits for the cities and between cities you will be travelling. The most puzzling sign I found in Denmark was a red circle with a bar over a number. This indicates that the shown number is no longer the speed limit. No units are specified but this number is in km/h instead of mph as in the US. The main point though is that the sign tells you what is not the speed limit but not the new limit. Instead, you return to be within the limit for the type of road and area (city-center, residential zone, intercity road) and, indeed you must know what that is.



    Actual speed limit can be complicated. In Iceland, the sign is a matrix which I never managed to read entirely before passing! In one dimension, the type of vehicle is shown, in the other, the type road. The speed limit is the number, in km/h in the square which corresponds to your situation.



    The wrong-way sign is a red circle with a white horizontal bar in it. This is seldom seen in the Americas.



    enter image description here



    Same for the no stopping and no parking ones:



    enter image description here



    Parking in Europe is vastly different from North America. The rules can be complex and local to some city zones too. In one place, I think it was Akureyri (IIRC), we had to buy a paper parking meter place in the car and manually indicate the marked time on it. Other places have sidewalk colors and I've many places where people parked partially on the sidewalk (although this might not have been legal). Going with the flow ensures you be no worse than the average but that won't make it legal in Europe. In contrast, California has laws that make following the flow a legal requirement in some cases!



    While I visited 25 European countries, I have driven in 20 of them, relying on trains for the other 5, so I have a variety of experience driving, although based on so many less common rules, I'm sure to not have gotten everything 100% right. In the US, Canada, Ecador, Peru and Brazil, I have driven thousands of kilometres and the rules there a closer to those in Canada (Where I drove regularly for the best part of 30 years) and the US.






    share|improve this answer




















    • 2





      yes, the parking disks are commonly used in many European countries. Kinda strange that one didn't come with your rental car but they're cheap. Overall you're correct. One caveat though: the speed limit cancellation sign has a variant where a speed is listed on it. If that's the case it cancels that specific limit only, leaving you with the next highest limit indicated on that segment of road. E.g. a 130kmh road was restricted to 100 and then further to 90. If the 90 is cancelled, the limit reverts to 100. If no speed is listed on the cancellation, it reverts to 130.

      – jwenting
      Feb 8 at 5:28






    • 3





      @jwenting Care to provide a reference? The speed limit cancellation sign without a number is not a speed limit cancellation. It is a cancellation of all prior restrictions (including speed), whereas the sign with the speed listed, afaik, cancels the speed limit to the default, not the previously posted. I.e., 130, in your example, not 100.

      – LLlAMnYP
      Feb 8 at 9:37











    • @LLlAMnYP That's how I was taught to interpret it 27 years ago when I got my driver's license. And that's how colleagues of me have been fined for driving 130 after a 90 was cancelled but an earlier 100 was not.

      – jwenting
      Feb 8 at 10:45






    • 1





      @jwenting A country specification would be in order. What you describe, is an incredibly complicated rule (suppose, someone enters a street after the 100 sign, but before the 90). strassenschilder.de/vorschriftszeichen/… This reference in German states that such a sign reverts to the default and make no mention of anything else. I can only guess that the 130 in your unfortunate example was actually above the default speed limit for the kind of road you were on.

      – LLlAMnYP
      Feb 8 at 11:06















    5














    Right-of-way rules are extremely important because everyone else drives as if you were going to respect them too, so it is easy to get into an accident by not knowing them. Other answers are covered this in great detail.



    It is also important to know the default speed limits for the cities and between cities you will be travelling. The most puzzling sign I found in Denmark was a red circle with a bar over a number. This indicates that the shown number is no longer the speed limit. No units are specified but this number is in km/h instead of mph as in the US. The main point though is that the sign tells you what is not the speed limit but not the new limit. Instead, you return to be within the limit for the type of road and area (city-center, residential zone, intercity road) and, indeed you must know what that is.



    Actual speed limit can be complicated. In Iceland, the sign is a matrix which I never managed to read entirely before passing! In one dimension, the type of vehicle is shown, in the other, the type road. The speed limit is the number, in km/h in the square which corresponds to your situation.



    The wrong-way sign is a red circle with a white horizontal bar in it. This is seldom seen in the Americas.



    enter image description here



    Same for the no stopping and no parking ones:



    enter image description here



    Parking in Europe is vastly different from North America. The rules can be complex and local to some city zones too. In one place, I think it was Akureyri (IIRC), we had to buy a paper parking meter place in the car and manually indicate the marked time on it. Other places have sidewalk colors and I've many places where people parked partially on the sidewalk (although this might not have been legal). Going with the flow ensures you be no worse than the average but that won't make it legal in Europe. In contrast, California has laws that make following the flow a legal requirement in some cases!



    While I visited 25 European countries, I have driven in 20 of them, relying on trains for the other 5, so I have a variety of experience driving, although based on so many less common rules, I'm sure to not have gotten everything 100% right. In the US, Canada, Ecador, Peru and Brazil, I have driven thousands of kilometres and the rules there a closer to those in Canada (Where I drove regularly for the best part of 30 years) and the US.






    share|improve this answer




















    • 2





      yes, the parking disks are commonly used in many European countries. Kinda strange that one didn't come with your rental car but they're cheap. Overall you're correct. One caveat though: the speed limit cancellation sign has a variant where a speed is listed on it. If that's the case it cancels that specific limit only, leaving you with the next highest limit indicated on that segment of road. E.g. a 130kmh road was restricted to 100 and then further to 90. If the 90 is cancelled, the limit reverts to 100. If no speed is listed on the cancellation, it reverts to 130.

      – jwenting
      Feb 8 at 5:28






    • 3





      @jwenting Care to provide a reference? The speed limit cancellation sign without a number is not a speed limit cancellation. It is a cancellation of all prior restrictions (including speed), whereas the sign with the speed listed, afaik, cancels the speed limit to the default, not the previously posted. I.e., 130, in your example, not 100.

      – LLlAMnYP
      Feb 8 at 9:37











    • @LLlAMnYP That's how I was taught to interpret it 27 years ago when I got my driver's license. And that's how colleagues of me have been fined for driving 130 after a 90 was cancelled but an earlier 100 was not.

      – jwenting
      Feb 8 at 10:45






    • 1





      @jwenting A country specification would be in order. What you describe, is an incredibly complicated rule (suppose, someone enters a street after the 100 sign, but before the 90). strassenschilder.de/vorschriftszeichen/… This reference in German states that such a sign reverts to the default and make no mention of anything else. I can only guess that the 130 in your unfortunate example was actually above the default speed limit for the kind of road you were on.

      – LLlAMnYP
      Feb 8 at 11:06













    5












    5








    5







    Right-of-way rules are extremely important because everyone else drives as if you were going to respect them too, so it is easy to get into an accident by not knowing them. Other answers are covered this in great detail.



    It is also important to know the default speed limits for the cities and between cities you will be travelling. The most puzzling sign I found in Denmark was a red circle with a bar over a number. This indicates that the shown number is no longer the speed limit. No units are specified but this number is in km/h instead of mph as in the US. The main point though is that the sign tells you what is not the speed limit but not the new limit. Instead, you return to be within the limit for the type of road and area (city-center, residential zone, intercity road) and, indeed you must know what that is.



    Actual speed limit can be complicated. In Iceland, the sign is a matrix which I never managed to read entirely before passing! In one dimension, the type of vehicle is shown, in the other, the type road. The speed limit is the number, in km/h in the square which corresponds to your situation.



    The wrong-way sign is a red circle with a white horizontal bar in it. This is seldom seen in the Americas.



    enter image description here



    Same for the no stopping and no parking ones:



    enter image description here



    Parking in Europe is vastly different from North America. The rules can be complex and local to some city zones too. In one place, I think it was Akureyri (IIRC), we had to buy a paper parking meter place in the car and manually indicate the marked time on it. Other places have sidewalk colors and I've many places where people parked partially on the sidewalk (although this might not have been legal). Going with the flow ensures you be no worse than the average but that won't make it legal in Europe. In contrast, California has laws that make following the flow a legal requirement in some cases!



    While I visited 25 European countries, I have driven in 20 of them, relying on trains for the other 5, so I have a variety of experience driving, although based on so many less common rules, I'm sure to not have gotten everything 100% right. In the US, Canada, Ecador, Peru and Brazil, I have driven thousands of kilometres and the rules there a closer to those in Canada (Where I drove regularly for the best part of 30 years) and the US.






    share|improve this answer















    Right-of-way rules are extremely important because everyone else drives as if you were going to respect them too, so it is easy to get into an accident by not knowing them. Other answers are covered this in great detail.



    It is also important to know the default speed limits for the cities and between cities you will be travelling. The most puzzling sign I found in Denmark was a red circle with a bar over a number. This indicates that the shown number is no longer the speed limit. No units are specified but this number is in km/h instead of mph as in the US. The main point though is that the sign tells you what is not the speed limit but not the new limit. Instead, you return to be within the limit for the type of road and area (city-center, residential zone, intercity road) and, indeed you must know what that is.



    Actual speed limit can be complicated. In Iceland, the sign is a matrix which I never managed to read entirely before passing! In one dimension, the type of vehicle is shown, in the other, the type road. The speed limit is the number, in km/h in the square which corresponds to your situation.



    The wrong-way sign is a red circle with a white horizontal bar in it. This is seldom seen in the Americas.



    enter image description here



    Same for the no stopping and no parking ones:



    enter image description here



    Parking in Europe is vastly different from North America. The rules can be complex and local to some city zones too. In one place, I think it was Akureyri (IIRC), we had to buy a paper parking meter place in the car and manually indicate the marked time on it. Other places have sidewalk colors and I've many places where people parked partially on the sidewalk (although this might not have been legal). Going with the flow ensures you be no worse than the average but that won't make it legal in Europe. In contrast, California has laws that make following the flow a legal requirement in some cases!



    While I visited 25 European countries, I have driven in 20 of them, relying on trains for the other 5, so I have a variety of experience driving, although based on so many less common rules, I'm sure to not have gotten everything 100% right. In the US, Canada, Ecador, Peru and Brazil, I have driven thousands of kilometres and the rules there a closer to those in Canada (Where I drove regularly for the best part of 30 years) and the US.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Feb 8 at 12:24









    Willeke

    31.1k1087163




    31.1k1087163










    answered Feb 8 at 5:01









    ItaiItai

    29.4k970157




    29.4k970157







    • 2





      yes, the parking disks are commonly used in many European countries. Kinda strange that one didn't come with your rental car but they're cheap. Overall you're correct. One caveat though: the speed limit cancellation sign has a variant where a speed is listed on it. If that's the case it cancels that specific limit only, leaving you with the next highest limit indicated on that segment of road. E.g. a 130kmh road was restricted to 100 and then further to 90. If the 90 is cancelled, the limit reverts to 100. If no speed is listed on the cancellation, it reverts to 130.

      – jwenting
      Feb 8 at 5:28






    • 3





      @jwenting Care to provide a reference? The speed limit cancellation sign without a number is not a speed limit cancellation. It is a cancellation of all prior restrictions (including speed), whereas the sign with the speed listed, afaik, cancels the speed limit to the default, not the previously posted. I.e., 130, in your example, not 100.

      – LLlAMnYP
      Feb 8 at 9:37











    • @LLlAMnYP That's how I was taught to interpret it 27 years ago when I got my driver's license. And that's how colleagues of me have been fined for driving 130 after a 90 was cancelled but an earlier 100 was not.

      – jwenting
      Feb 8 at 10:45






    • 1





      @jwenting A country specification would be in order. What you describe, is an incredibly complicated rule (suppose, someone enters a street after the 100 sign, but before the 90). strassenschilder.de/vorschriftszeichen/… This reference in German states that such a sign reverts to the default and make no mention of anything else. I can only guess that the 130 in your unfortunate example was actually above the default speed limit for the kind of road you were on.

      – LLlAMnYP
      Feb 8 at 11:06












    • 2





      yes, the parking disks are commonly used in many European countries. Kinda strange that one didn't come with your rental car but they're cheap. Overall you're correct. One caveat though: the speed limit cancellation sign has a variant where a speed is listed on it. If that's the case it cancels that specific limit only, leaving you with the next highest limit indicated on that segment of road. E.g. a 130kmh road was restricted to 100 and then further to 90. If the 90 is cancelled, the limit reverts to 100. If no speed is listed on the cancellation, it reverts to 130.

      – jwenting
      Feb 8 at 5:28






    • 3





      @jwenting Care to provide a reference? The speed limit cancellation sign without a number is not a speed limit cancellation. It is a cancellation of all prior restrictions (including speed), whereas the sign with the speed listed, afaik, cancels the speed limit to the default, not the previously posted. I.e., 130, in your example, not 100.

      – LLlAMnYP
      Feb 8 at 9:37











    • @LLlAMnYP That's how I was taught to interpret it 27 years ago when I got my driver's license. And that's how colleagues of me have been fined for driving 130 after a 90 was cancelled but an earlier 100 was not.

      – jwenting
      Feb 8 at 10:45






    • 1





      @jwenting A country specification would be in order. What you describe, is an incredibly complicated rule (suppose, someone enters a street after the 100 sign, but before the 90). strassenschilder.de/vorschriftszeichen/… This reference in German states that such a sign reverts to the default and make no mention of anything else. I can only guess that the 130 in your unfortunate example was actually above the default speed limit for the kind of road you were on.

      – LLlAMnYP
      Feb 8 at 11:06







    2




    2





    yes, the parking disks are commonly used in many European countries. Kinda strange that one didn't come with your rental car but they're cheap. Overall you're correct. One caveat though: the speed limit cancellation sign has a variant where a speed is listed on it. If that's the case it cancels that specific limit only, leaving you with the next highest limit indicated on that segment of road. E.g. a 130kmh road was restricted to 100 and then further to 90. If the 90 is cancelled, the limit reverts to 100. If no speed is listed on the cancellation, it reverts to 130.

    – jwenting
    Feb 8 at 5:28





    yes, the parking disks are commonly used in many European countries. Kinda strange that one didn't come with your rental car but they're cheap. Overall you're correct. One caveat though: the speed limit cancellation sign has a variant where a speed is listed on it. If that's the case it cancels that specific limit only, leaving you with the next highest limit indicated on that segment of road. E.g. a 130kmh road was restricted to 100 and then further to 90. If the 90 is cancelled, the limit reverts to 100. If no speed is listed on the cancellation, it reverts to 130.

    – jwenting
    Feb 8 at 5:28




    3




    3





    @jwenting Care to provide a reference? The speed limit cancellation sign without a number is not a speed limit cancellation. It is a cancellation of all prior restrictions (including speed), whereas the sign with the speed listed, afaik, cancels the speed limit to the default, not the previously posted. I.e., 130, in your example, not 100.

    – LLlAMnYP
    Feb 8 at 9:37





    @jwenting Care to provide a reference? The speed limit cancellation sign without a number is not a speed limit cancellation. It is a cancellation of all prior restrictions (including speed), whereas the sign with the speed listed, afaik, cancels the speed limit to the default, not the previously posted. I.e., 130, in your example, not 100.

    – LLlAMnYP
    Feb 8 at 9:37













    @LLlAMnYP That's how I was taught to interpret it 27 years ago when I got my driver's license. And that's how colleagues of me have been fined for driving 130 after a 90 was cancelled but an earlier 100 was not.

    – jwenting
    Feb 8 at 10:45





    @LLlAMnYP That's how I was taught to interpret it 27 years ago when I got my driver's license. And that's how colleagues of me have been fined for driving 130 after a 90 was cancelled but an earlier 100 was not.

    – jwenting
    Feb 8 at 10:45




    1




    1





    @jwenting A country specification would be in order. What you describe, is an incredibly complicated rule (suppose, someone enters a street after the 100 sign, but before the 90). strassenschilder.de/vorschriftszeichen/… This reference in German states that such a sign reverts to the default and make no mention of anything else. I can only guess that the 130 in your unfortunate example was actually above the default speed limit for the kind of road you were on.

    – LLlAMnYP
    Feb 8 at 11:06





    @jwenting A country specification would be in order. What you describe, is an incredibly complicated rule (suppose, someone enters a street after the 100 sign, but before the 90). strassenschilder.de/vorschriftszeichen/… This reference in German states that such a sign reverts to the default and make no mention of anything else. I can only guess that the 130 in your unfortunate example was actually above the default speed limit for the kind of road you were on.

    – LLlAMnYP
    Feb 8 at 11:06











    3














    Road safety and traffic rules differ within the EU



    Road safety and traffic rules differ within the EU, see an official page for this, going deeper in each country-specific one. BTW main rules are common.



    Main differences I can recall:



    • In the European Union member states in general, it is illegal to turn on a red light, unless it is indicated otherwise, for example by a green arrow on a red light (but in this case you have to allow any other one --cars as people-- to pass before you).


    • Almost pernicious is the fact that if there is a supplementary green arrow to turn (left or, more often, only right) you can turn only when it is lighted on, even if in the main semaphore there is a full green lighted on (They are changing those one with a straight arrow instead of the full green).



      enter image description here



    • Keep the right as you can, do not overcome on the right (it may be allowed if the street is with three or more lines -- of course switch right with left in UK & co.).


    • Usually a more more narrow spaces available for the cars, specially in the historical centers. Narrow streets and you can find car parked with 2-3 fingers of distance between them. (Just to understand why many people buy little cars).

    • In some countries (if I remember well e.g. in Austria), the highways are on payment on a year base and the payment is displayed with a sticker on the front glass. Picture are taken and fine issued if not present. In other countries you pay when you exit but you need to take the ticket when you enter (It's payed on a base proportional to the km used).

    • Remember to check for which countries the insurance is valid. The car insurance is obligatory.

    • As already reported by Eric, "almost all cars in Europe are manual transmissions, although some rental cars are automatics" (and you have to pay more for this).

      This means also that they accelerate from a stop more promptly, and that they afford the curves with a different driving style (with an automatic car you need to start to decelerate before then with a manual front-wheel drive one); with sufficient high speed it can cause you at least discomfort.


    • Remember to drive on the left side of the road in Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom. It seems silly but after that you drive for a while on one of the single track road of Scotland, crossing few other people, you can easily forget it. Moreover you cross another tourist with the same amnesia!

      In those countries I strongly suggest you to rent an automatic car.






    share|improve this answer























    • +1 For the "it is illegal to turn on a red light" Never forget this. Red light = total stop of car.

      – Med
      Feb 8 at 10:30











    • The point on supplementary green arrow isn't intirely correct. It goes like this: green arrow lit => turn allowed and you have the right of way; red arrow lit => turn illegal; no arrow lit => follow the main lights.

      – StrangerToKindness
      Feb 8 at 10:52















    3














    Road safety and traffic rules differ within the EU



    Road safety and traffic rules differ within the EU, see an official page for this, going deeper in each country-specific one. BTW main rules are common.



    Main differences I can recall:



    • In the European Union member states in general, it is illegal to turn on a red light, unless it is indicated otherwise, for example by a green arrow on a red light (but in this case you have to allow any other one --cars as people-- to pass before you).


    • Almost pernicious is the fact that if there is a supplementary green arrow to turn (left or, more often, only right) you can turn only when it is lighted on, even if in the main semaphore there is a full green lighted on (They are changing those one with a straight arrow instead of the full green).



      enter image description here



    • Keep the right as you can, do not overcome on the right (it may be allowed if the street is with three or more lines -- of course switch right with left in UK & co.).


    • Usually a more more narrow spaces available for the cars, specially in the historical centers. Narrow streets and you can find car parked with 2-3 fingers of distance between them. (Just to understand why many people buy little cars).

    • In some countries (if I remember well e.g. in Austria), the highways are on payment on a year base and the payment is displayed with a sticker on the front glass. Picture are taken and fine issued if not present. In other countries you pay when you exit but you need to take the ticket when you enter (It's payed on a base proportional to the km used).

    • Remember to check for which countries the insurance is valid. The car insurance is obligatory.

    • As already reported by Eric, "almost all cars in Europe are manual transmissions, although some rental cars are automatics" (and you have to pay more for this).

      This means also that they accelerate from a stop more promptly, and that they afford the curves with a different driving style (with an automatic car you need to start to decelerate before then with a manual front-wheel drive one); with sufficient high speed it can cause you at least discomfort.


    • Remember to drive on the left side of the road in Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom. It seems silly but after that you drive for a while on one of the single track road of Scotland, crossing few other people, you can easily forget it. Moreover you cross another tourist with the same amnesia!

      In those countries I strongly suggest you to rent an automatic car.






    share|improve this answer























    • +1 For the "it is illegal to turn on a red light" Never forget this. Red light = total stop of car.

      – Med
      Feb 8 at 10:30











    • The point on supplementary green arrow isn't intirely correct. It goes like this: green arrow lit => turn allowed and you have the right of way; red arrow lit => turn illegal; no arrow lit => follow the main lights.

      – StrangerToKindness
      Feb 8 at 10:52













    3












    3








    3







    Road safety and traffic rules differ within the EU



    Road safety and traffic rules differ within the EU, see an official page for this, going deeper in each country-specific one. BTW main rules are common.



    Main differences I can recall:



    • In the European Union member states in general, it is illegal to turn on a red light, unless it is indicated otherwise, for example by a green arrow on a red light (but in this case you have to allow any other one --cars as people-- to pass before you).


    • Almost pernicious is the fact that if there is a supplementary green arrow to turn (left or, more often, only right) you can turn only when it is lighted on, even if in the main semaphore there is a full green lighted on (They are changing those one with a straight arrow instead of the full green).



      enter image description here



    • Keep the right as you can, do not overcome on the right (it may be allowed if the street is with three or more lines -- of course switch right with left in UK & co.).


    • Usually a more more narrow spaces available for the cars, specially in the historical centers. Narrow streets and you can find car parked with 2-3 fingers of distance between them. (Just to understand why many people buy little cars).

    • In some countries (if I remember well e.g. in Austria), the highways are on payment on a year base and the payment is displayed with a sticker on the front glass. Picture are taken and fine issued if not present. In other countries you pay when you exit but you need to take the ticket when you enter (It's payed on a base proportional to the km used).

    • Remember to check for which countries the insurance is valid. The car insurance is obligatory.

    • As already reported by Eric, "almost all cars in Europe are manual transmissions, although some rental cars are automatics" (and you have to pay more for this).

      This means also that they accelerate from a stop more promptly, and that they afford the curves with a different driving style (with an automatic car you need to start to decelerate before then with a manual front-wheel drive one); with sufficient high speed it can cause you at least discomfort.


    • Remember to drive on the left side of the road in Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom. It seems silly but after that you drive for a while on one of the single track road of Scotland, crossing few other people, you can easily forget it. Moreover you cross another tourist with the same amnesia!

      In those countries I strongly suggest you to rent an automatic car.






    share|improve this answer













    Road safety and traffic rules differ within the EU



    Road safety and traffic rules differ within the EU, see an official page for this, going deeper in each country-specific one. BTW main rules are common.



    Main differences I can recall:



    • In the European Union member states in general, it is illegal to turn on a red light, unless it is indicated otherwise, for example by a green arrow on a red light (but in this case you have to allow any other one --cars as people-- to pass before you).


    • Almost pernicious is the fact that if there is a supplementary green arrow to turn (left or, more often, only right) you can turn only when it is lighted on, even if in the main semaphore there is a full green lighted on (They are changing those one with a straight arrow instead of the full green).



      enter image description here



    • Keep the right as you can, do not overcome on the right (it may be allowed if the street is with three or more lines -- of course switch right with left in UK & co.).


    • Usually a more more narrow spaces available for the cars, specially in the historical centers. Narrow streets and you can find car parked with 2-3 fingers of distance between them. (Just to understand why many people buy little cars).

    • In some countries (if I remember well e.g. in Austria), the highways are on payment on a year base and the payment is displayed with a sticker on the front glass. Picture are taken and fine issued if not present. In other countries you pay when you exit but you need to take the ticket when you enter (It's payed on a base proportional to the km used).

    • Remember to check for which countries the insurance is valid. The car insurance is obligatory.

    • As already reported by Eric, "almost all cars in Europe are manual transmissions, although some rental cars are automatics" (and you have to pay more for this).

      This means also that they accelerate from a stop more promptly, and that they afford the curves with a different driving style (with an automatic car you need to start to decelerate before then with a manual front-wheel drive one); with sufficient high speed it can cause you at least discomfort.


    • Remember to drive on the left side of the road in Cyprus, Ireland, Malta and the United Kingdom. It seems silly but after that you drive for a while on one of the single track road of Scotland, crossing few other people, you can easily forget it. Moreover you cross another tourist with the same amnesia!

      In those countries I strongly suggest you to rent an automatic car.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Feb 8 at 9:28









    HasturHastur

    311




    311












    • +1 For the "it is illegal to turn on a red light" Never forget this. Red light = total stop of car.

      – Med
      Feb 8 at 10:30











    • The point on supplementary green arrow isn't intirely correct. It goes like this: green arrow lit => turn allowed and you have the right of way; red arrow lit => turn illegal; no arrow lit => follow the main lights.

      – StrangerToKindness
      Feb 8 at 10:52

















    • +1 For the "it is illegal to turn on a red light" Never forget this. Red light = total stop of car.

      – Med
      Feb 8 at 10:30











    • The point on supplementary green arrow isn't intirely correct. It goes like this: green arrow lit => turn allowed and you have the right of way; red arrow lit => turn illegal; no arrow lit => follow the main lights.

      – StrangerToKindness
      Feb 8 at 10:52
















    +1 For the "it is illegal to turn on a red light" Never forget this. Red light = total stop of car.

    – Med
    Feb 8 at 10:30





    +1 For the "it is illegal to turn on a red light" Never forget this. Red light = total stop of car.

    – Med
    Feb 8 at 10:30













    The point on supplementary green arrow isn't intirely correct. It goes like this: green arrow lit => turn allowed and you have the right of way; red arrow lit => turn illegal; no arrow lit => follow the main lights.

    – StrangerToKindness
    Feb 8 at 10:52





    The point on supplementary green arrow isn't intirely correct. It goes like this: green arrow lit => turn allowed and you have the right of way; red arrow lit => turn illegal; no arrow lit => follow the main lights.

    – StrangerToKindness
    Feb 8 at 10:52











    2














    1. If is best to have an International Drives License (which is basically just a translation to several languages) available from AAA. Many do not bother with this and is generally not required by car rental companies.


    2. Some cities have "ZTL" (limited traffic) areas where traffic is limited to vehicle with proper stickers/registration) and the fine can be large.


    3. If there may be snow some countries (Italy is one) and it does snow you must have snow chains at least in the car. We got caught in a sudden/unexpected snow and had to buy snow chains which are often provided free for the asking when renting.


    Se the answer by @canonacer for more information.






    share|improve this answer





























      2














      1. If is best to have an International Drives License (which is basically just a translation to several languages) available from AAA. Many do not bother with this and is generally not required by car rental companies.


      2. Some cities have "ZTL" (limited traffic) areas where traffic is limited to vehicle with proper stickers/registration) and the fine can be large.


      3. If there may be snow some countries (Italy is one) and it does snow you must have snow chains at least in the car. We got caught in a sudden/unexpected snow and had to buy snow chains which are often provided free for the asking when renting.


      Se the answer by @canonacer for more information.






      share|improve this answer



























        2












        2








        2







        1. If is best to have an International Drives License (which is basically just a translation to several languages) available from AAA. Many do not bother with this and is generally not required by car rental companies.


        2. Some cities have "ZTL" (limited traffic) areas where traffic is limited to vehicle with proper stickers/registration) and the fine can be large.


        3. If there may be snow some countries (Italy is one) and it does snow you must have snow chains at least in the car. We got caught in a sudden/unexpected snow and had to buy snow chains which are often provided free for the asking when renting.


        Se the answer by @canonacer for more information.






        share|improve this answer















        1. If is best to have an International Drives License (which is basically just a translation to several languages) available from AAA. Many do not bother with this and is generally not required by car rental companies.


        2. Some cities have "ZTL" (limited traffic) areas where traffic is limited to vehicle with proper stickers/registration) and the fine can be large.


        3. If there may be snow some countries (Italy is one) and it does snow you must have snow chains at least in the car. We got caught in a sudden/unexpected snow and had to buy snow chains which are often provided free for the asking when renting.


        Se the answer by @canonacer for more information.







        share|improve this answer














        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited Feb 7 at 21:57

























        answered Feb 7 at 21:44









        zaphzaph

        403110




        403110





















            2














            I've been living in Austria and driving in Europe for 15+ years now and have some experience with driving in the US.



            The only practical differences I can think of are:



            • left turns on highways are not as common here, you mostly leave highways by moving to the right lane and taking an exit from there

            • when turning, people really keep to their lane (e.g. when three lanes in one direction turn left all at once, a truck in the middle lane doesn't take half of the innermost left lane too...)

            • no passing on the right

            • you can pass school buses on bus stops no problem

            • lanes, parking lots outside as well as underground parks tend to be narrower here than in the US





            share|improve this answer




















            • 4





              About the school busses: if they have hazard lights on while driving, you are not allowed to overtake. If they have it on while at the bus stop, overtake with extreme care an walking speed, only. This applies to Germany, no idea about Austria.

              – sweber
              Feb 7 at 23:50















            2














            I've been living in Austria and driving in Europe for 15+ years now and have some experience with driving in the US.



            The only practical differences I can think of are:



            • left turns on highways are not as common here, you mostly leave highways by moving to the right lane and taking an exit from there

            • when turning, people really keep to their lane (e.g. when three lanes in one direction turn left all at once, a truck in the middle lane doesn't take half of the innermost left lane too...)

            • no passing on the right

            • you can pass school buses on bus stops no problem

            • lanes, parking lots outside as well as underground parks tend to be narrower here than in the US





            share|improve this answer




















            • 4





              About the school busses: if they have hazard lights on while driving, you are not allowed to overtake. If they have it on while at the bus stop, overtake with extreme care an walking speed, only. This applies to Germany, no idea about Austria.

              – sweber
              Feb 7 at 23:50













            2












            2








            2







            I've been living in Austria and driving in Europe for 15+ years now and have some experience with driving in the US.



            The only practical differences I can think of are:



            • left turns on highways are not as common here, you mostly leave highways by moving to the right lane and taking an exit from there

            • when turning, people really keep to their lane (e.g. when three lanes in one direction turn left all at once, a truck in the middle lane doesn't take half of the innermost left lane too...)

            • no passing on the right

            • you can pass school buses on bus stops no problem

            • lanes, parking lots outside as well as underground parks tend to be narrower here than in the US





            share|improve this answer















            I've been living in Austria and driving in Europe for 15+ years now and have some experience with driving in the US.



            The only practical differences I can think of are:



            • left turns on highways are not as common here, you mostly leave highways by moving to the right lane and taking an exit from there

            • when turning, people really keep to their lane (e.g. when three lanes in one direction turn left all at once, a truck in the middle lane doesn't take half of the innermost left lane too...)

            • no passing on the right

            • you can pass school buses on bus stops no problem

            • lanes, parking lots outside as well as underground parks tend to be narrower here than in the US






            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited Feb 7 at 21:59

























            answered Feb 7 at 21:46









            Ewige StudentinEwige Studentin

            520315




            520315







            • 4





              About the school busses: if they have hazard lights on while driving, you are not allowed to overtake. If they have it on while at the bus stop, overtake with extreme care an walking speed, only. This applies to Germany, no idea about Austria.

              – sweber
              Feb 7 at 23:50












            • 4





              About the school busses: if they have hazard lights on while driving, you are not allowed to overtake. If they have it on while at the bus stop, overtake with extreme care an walking speed, only. This applies to Germany, no idea about Austria.

              – sweber
              Feb 7 at 23:50







            4




            4





            About the school busses: if they have hazard lights on while driving, you are not allowed to overtake. If they have it on while at the bus stop, overtake with extreme care an walking speed, only. This applies to Germany, no idea about Austria.

            – sweber
            Feb 7 at 23:50





            About the school busses: if they have hazard lights on while driving, you are not allowed to overtake. If they have it on while at the bus stop, overtake with extreme care an walking speed, only. This applies to Germany, no idea about Austria.

            – sweber
            Feb 7 at 23:50











            2














            You have to get used to narrow roads, narrow parking places, narrow parking garages
            and almost no street parking space anywhere in cities. Not even in suburbs.



            Cycling is a thing in Europe and not all cyclists follow rules.

            Motor cycles are also common and their riders do sometimes also not follow the rules.



            But the most important thing you have to learn is the odd road signs you will encounter. Almost no texts, which may come in handy as if you don't speak multiple languages, but lots of pictograms which slightly differ from country to country.



            As you specifically asked about Germany, as an example which may come surprising to you, take this sign:



            https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verkehrsberuhigter_Bereich



            A friendly place, isn't it? So, could anything bad happen here? Yes, because this sign indicates a living street and speed is restricted to 5 km/h. Parking is also restricted, and you have to yield to traffic when you leave it again. Failure to do any of this will lead to a fine or even worse, an accident.






            share|improve this answer




















            • 6





              I'm sorry, I've given you a downvote because of the phrase "bikers are outlaws". While I concede that some/many bicyclists follow their own minds, it is patently false to say they are outlaws (in all the EU countries I am aware of) because there are indeed traffic laws for bicyclists and how they should interact with other traffic.

              – KlaymenDK
              Feb 8 at 2:28











            • I've given you an upvote because I shuddered to imagine an outlaw biker coming up that friendly street and knocking down that boy with the ball. That's just the kind of thing they do.

              – davidbak
              Feb 8 at 3:31







            • 6





              "Biking is a thing in Europe and bikers are outlaws. " Are you talking about criminal motorbike gangs?

              – Qwertie
              Feb 8 at 5:28











            • That sign, or one very similar, exists in the Netherlands as well. Be extremely cautious driving there, people expect you to drive at a walking pace. Typically the area tends to have a lot of speed bumps, especially at the entrances, and other speed reducing features like chicanes.

              – jwenting
              Feb 8 at 5:34






            • 2





              @MichaelHampton That's the idea. Those signs are placed in some residential areas. It allows children to play outside more safely.

              – Michaël Demey
              Feb 8 at 8:22















            2














            You have to get used to narrow roads, narrow parking places, narrow parking garages
            and almost no street parking space anywhere in cities. Not even in suburbs.



            Cycling is a thing in Europe and not all cyclists follow rules.

            Motor cycles are also common and their riders do sometimes also not follow the rules.



            But the most important thing you have to learn is the odd road signs you will encounter. Almost no texts, which may come in handy as if you don't speak multiple languages, but lots of pictograms which slightly differ from country to country.



            As you specifically asked about Germany, as an example which may come surprising to you, take this sign:



            https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verkehrsberuhigter_Bereich



            A friendly place, isn't it? So, could anything bad happen here? Yes, because this sign indicates a living street and speed is restricted to 5 km/h. Parking is also restricted, and you have to yield to traffic when you leave it again. Failure to do any of this will lead to a fine or even worse, an accident.






            share|improve this answer




















            • 6





              I'm sorry, I've given you a downvote because of the phrase "bikers are outlaws". While I concede that some/many bicyclists follow their own minds, it is patently false to say they are outlaws (in all the EU countries I am aware of) because there are indeed traffic laws for bicyclists and how they should interact with other traffic.

              – KlaymenDK
              Feb 8 at 2:28











            • I've given you an upvote because I shuddered to imagine an outlaw biker coming up that friendly street and knocking down that boy with the ball. That's just the kind of thing they do.

              – davidbak
              Feb 8 at 3:31







            • 6





              "Biking is a thing in Europe and bikers are outlaws. " Are you talking about criminal motorbike gangs?

              – Qwertie
              Feb 8 at 5:28











            • That sign, or one very similar, exists in the Netherlands as well. Be extremely cautious driving there, people expect you to drive at a walking pace. Typically the area tends to have a lot of speed bumps, especially at the entrances, and other speed reducing features like chicanes.

              – jwenting
              Feb 8 at 5:34






            • 2





              @MichaelHampton That's the idea. Those signs are placed in some residential areas. It allows children to play outside more safely.

              – Michaël Demey
              Feb 8 at 8:22













            2












            2








            2







            You have to get used to narrow roads, narrow parking places, narrow parking garages
            and almost no street parking space anywhere in cities. Not even in suburbs.



            Cycling is a thing in Europe and not all cyclists follow rules.

            Motor cycles are also common and their riders do sometimes also not follow the rules.



            But the most important thing you have to learn is the odd road signs you will encounter. Almost no texts, which may come in handy as if you don't speak multiple languages, but lots of pictograms which slightly differ from country to country.



            As you specifically asked about Germany, as an example which may come surprising to you, take this sign:



            https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verkehrsberuhigter_Bereich



            A friendly place, isn't it? So, could anything bad happen here? Yes, because this sign indicates a living street and speed is restricted to 5 km/h. Parking is also restricted, and you have to yield to traffic when you leave it again. Failure to do any of this will lead to a fine or even worse, an accident.






            share|improve this answer















            You have to get used to narrow roads, narrow parking places, narrow parking garages
            and almost no street parking space anywhere in cities. Not even in suburbs.



            Cycling is a thing in Europe and not all cyclists follow rules.

            Motor cycles are also common and their riders do sometimes also not follow the rules.



            But the most important thing you have to learn is the odd road signs you will encounter. Almost no texts, which may come in handy as if you don't speak multiple languages, but lots of pictograms which slightly differ from country to country.



            As you specifically asked about Germany, as an example which may come surprising to you, take this sign:



            https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verkehrsberuhigter_Bereich



            A friendly place, isn't it? So, could anything bad happen here? Yes, because this sign indicates a living street and speed is restricted to 5 km/h. Parking is also restricted, and you have to yield to traffic when you leave it again. Failure to do any of this will lead to a fine or even worse, an accident.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited Feb 8 at 12:32









            Willeke

            31.1k1087163




            31.1k1087163










            answered Feb 8 at 0:38









            JankaJanka

            1,075410




            1,075410







            • 6





              I'm sorry, I've given you a downvote because of the phrase "bikers are outlaws". While I concede that some/many bicyclists follow their own minds, it is patently false to say they are outlaws (in all the EU countries I am aware of) because there are indeed traffic laws for bicyclists and how they should interact with other traffic.

              – KlaymenDK
              Feb 8 at 2:28











            • I've given you an upvote because I shuddered to imagine an outlaw biker coming up that friendly street and knocking down that boy with the ball. That's just the kind of thing they do.

              – davidbak
              Feb 8 at 3:31







            • 6





              "Biking is a thing in Europe and bikers are outlaws. " Are you talking about criminal motorbike gangs?

              – Qwertie
              Feb 8 at 5:28











            • That sign, or one very similar, exists in the Netherlands as well. Be extremely cautious driving there, people expect you to drive at a walking pace. Typically the area tends to have a lot of speed bumps, especially at the entrances, and other speed reducing features like chicanes.

              – jwenting
              Feb 8 at 5:34






            • 2





              @MichaelHampton That's the idea. Those signs are placed in some residential areas. It allows children to play outside more safely.

              – Michaël Demey
              Feb 8 at 8:22












            • 6





              I'm sorry, I've given you a downvote because of the phrase "bikers are outlaws". While I concede that some/many bicyclists follow their own minds, it is patently false to say they are outlaws (in all the EU countries I am aware of) because there are indeed traffic laws for bicyclists and how they should interact with other traffic.

              – KlaymenDK
              Feb 8 at 2:28











            • I've given you an upvote because I shuddered to imagine an outlaw biker coming up that friendly street and knocking down that boy with the ball. That's just the kind of thing they do.

              – davidbak
              Feb 8 at 3:31







            • 6





              "Biking is a thing in Europe and bikers are outlaws. " Are you talking about criminal motorbike gangs?

              – Qwertie
              Feb 8 at 5:28











            • That sign, or one very similar, exists in the Netherlands as well. Be extremely cautious driving there, people expect you to drive at a walking pace. Typically the area tends to have a lot of speed bumps, especially at the entrances, and other speed reducing features like chicanes.

              – jwenting
              Feb 8 at 5:34






            • 2





              @MichaelHampton That's the idea. Those signs are placed in some residential areas. It allows children to play outside more safely.

              – Michaël Demey
              Feb 8 at 8:22







            6




            6





            I'm sorry, I've given you a downvote because of the phrase "bikers are outlaws". While I concede that some/many bicyclists follow their own minds, it is patently false to say they are outlaws (in all the EU countries I am aware of) because there are indeed traffic laws for bicyclists and how they should interact with other traffic.

            – KlaymenDK
            Feb 8 at 2:28





            I'm sorry, I've given you a downvote because of the phrase "bikers are outlaws". While I concede that some/many bicyclists follow their own minds, it is patently false to say they are outlaws (in all the EU countries I am aware of) because there are indeed traffic laws for bicyclists and how they should interact with other traffic.

            – KlaymenDK
            Feb 8 at 2:28













            I've given you an upvote because I shuddered to imagine an outlaw biker coming up that friendly street and knocking down that boy with the ball. That's just the kind of thing they do.

            – davidbak
            Feb 8 at 3:31






            I've given you an upvote because I shuddered to imagine an outlaw biker coming up that friendly street and knocking down that boy with the ball. That's just the kind of thing they do.

            – davidbak
            Feb 8 at 3:31





            6




            6





            "Biking is a thing in Europe and bikers are outlaws. " Are you talking about criminal motorbike gangs?

            – Qwertie
            Feb 8 at 5:28





            "Biking is a thing in Europe and bikers are outlaws. " Are you talking about criminal motorbike gangs?

            – Qwertie
            Feb 8 at 5:28













            That sign, or one very similar, exists in the Netherlands as well. Be extremely cautious driving there, people expect you to drive at a walking pace. Typically the area tends to have a lot of speed bumps, especially at the entrances, and other speed reducing features like chicanes.

            – jwenting
            Feb 8 at 5:34





            That sign, or one very similar, exists in the Netherlands as well. Be extremely cautious driving there, people expect you to drive at a walking pace. Typically the area tends to have a lot of speed bumps, especially at the entrances, and other speed reducing features like chicanes.

            – jwenting
            Feb 8 at 5:34




            2




            2





            @MichaelHampton That's the idea. Those signs are placed in some residential areas. It allows children to play outside more safely.

            – Michaël Demey
            Feb 8 at 8:22





            @MichaelHampton That's the idea. Those signs are placed in some residential areas. It allows children to play outside more safely.

            – Michaël Demey
            Feb 8 at 8:22


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