Drivers warned car tech common in UK is illegal in three European countries

Millions of Brits are gearing up for a European getaway this year, with many opting to hire a car or take on a continental road trip in their own. But beware – driving regulations differ across the continent and ignorance could cost you dearly in fines.

Tim Rodie, a motoring expert from Motorpoint, has some advice for those planning to get behind the wheel abroad: "When driving in the EU, you'll be held to account if you break the rules of the road just like at home in the UK. While many rules are the same, it's important to make sure you're familiar with the rules and road customs of the countries you'll be driving in."

He warns that despite changes in cross-border enforcement, penalties can still apply under certain conditions: "Even though cross-border enforcement of traffic fines between the UK and EU countries has ended for the most part, some fines may still be issued under specific circumstances. If you do receive a fine, make sure to pay it promptly, as they can increase significantly if ignored."

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Driving laws to watch out for in Europe In Spain, parking could land you a hefty £500 penalty

Take extra care when parking on one-way streets in Spain; you might need to shift your vehicle more often than anticipated. In certain areas, parking is only permitted on one side of the street for half the month.

To dodge a penalty ranging from €100 to €600 (£85 to £515), keep an eye out for blue and red signs marked 1-15, indicating that parking is allowed in the first half of the month, and 16-31, signifying parking is permitted in the latter half.

In certain Spanish towns, non-residents are barred from entry and parking rules can vary throughout the week from one city to another. So, it's wise to do your homework on the local regulations beforehand to steer clear of fines.

Keep your headlights ablaze in Scandinavia

If you're planning a trip to any Nordic countries in 2025, remember to keep your headlights on at all times. In 12 countries, including Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, drivers are legally obliged to have their headlights on due to rapidly changing weather conditions.

If caught without them, local police can issue immediate fines starting from €100 (£85).

Enjoyed a tipple? Use the back seat in Macedonia

If you've indulged in a drink or two in Macedonia, ensure you take a back seat to prevent your designated driver from facing a fine of more than €45 (£38). Here, it's against the law for anyone under the influence of alcohol to occupy the front passenger seat, so make sure to slide into the back.

Keep your petrol tank topped up in Germany

Germany's Autobahn is famed for its extensive motorway network devoid of speed limits, but that doesn't mean it's a free-for-all.

Running out of petrol on any motorway can be perilous for you and other drivers, so ensure you're fuelled up for the journey ahead to dodge a fine of at least €50 (£40). This rule isn't exclusive to Germany; you can also be penalised for this in the UK.

In both nations, you could potentially face a heftier fine if your car comes to a halt and triggers an accident or poses a risk to other motorists.

Ditch your dashcam in these countries

While it might be a standard gadget for many UK motorists, operating a dashcam is prohibited when driving in Portugal, Luxembourg and Austria, as they're viewed as an intrusion of privacy and carry substantial fines.

Dashcams are favoured by UK drivers as they can save you thousands of quid in insurance claims. However, they could land you with a staggering €25,000 (£21,300) fine for repeat offenders in Austria.

Safety essentials needed in Eastern Europe

Numerous European countries mandate that you have reflective jackets, warning triangles and spare headlight bulbs in your car at all times.

If you're planning a road trip to Eastern Europe, be aware that each country has its own specific safety requirements. In nations such as Bulgaria, Poland and Romania, it's mandatory to have a fire extinguisher in your vehicle.

Failure to comply can result in fines equivalent to around 825 Romanian lei (£140). If you're hiring a car, this should be provided, but if you're driving your own motor, ensure you've packed all necessary safety gear.

In France and Spain, keep the tunes on the speakers

Both France and Spain strictly prohibit the use of headphones or in-ear Bluetooth devices while driving, with penalties reaching up to €135 in France and €200 in Spain (£115 and £171 respectively). In both countries, all calls must be routed through an external speaker and microphones or hands-free kits without earpieces.

Keep an eye out for this sign in Austria

Austria takes speeding very seriously, especially within controlled emission zones (known as Immissionsschutzgesetz Luft areas). So, if you spot an 'IG-L' sign whilst motoring in Austria, be warned that speeding fines can be significantly higher than usual under the Air Pollution Control Act.

Considering the minimum penalty for speeding in Austria is €150 (£128), it's not worth taking chances.

In Germany, keep your cool behind the wheel

Most motorists have vented their frustrations at fellow road users at some point, but if you lose your temper on German roads, you could be hit with severe penalties. Verbally abusing or making offensive gestures towards the public or police officers could result in hefty fines of up to €4,000 (£3,418) and even a prison sentence of up to one year.

Italian city centres are no-go zones

Planning to drive through a bustling Italian city centre? You might need to reconsider your itinerary.

Numerous Italian cities with historic town centres have restricted areas known as ZTLs. These zones are off-limits to non-residents during specific hours.

It might be worth getting some exercise instead, otherwise, you could face a fine of around €100 (£85) each time you enter and exit a ZTL zone.

Bicycles must be roof-mounted in Portugal

It's not uncommon to see bike racks attached to the rear of cars on UK roads, but in Portugal, it's against the law to transport bicycles on the back of, rear-mounted or towbar-mounted on your car. Roof racks are mandatory for carrying bikes in Portugal, failing which you'll be slapped with a fine between €60 and €300 (£51 and £256).

Even if you're staying within the UK, you could risk a substantial fine if you don't properly attach a bike rack to the back of your car. If your brake lights or number plate aren't fully visible, this can lead to a staggering £5,000 fine.