Driving Rules Rules in Every Country

⛔Driving in central Tokyo and Osaka is strongly discouraged — parking is extremely expensive, one-way systems are complex, and public transport is far faster.

⛔The UAE has a very high road accident and fatality rate. Drive defensively, maintain safe following distances, and strictly observe speed limits.

⛔Many travel insurance policies are voided if you ride a motorbike without a valid licence or without wearing a helmet. Check your policy carefully before renting any motorised vehicle.

⛔Germany has zero tolerance for drink driving for new drivers and under-21s (0.00% BAC). For all other drivers, the 0.05% limit is strictly enforced with heavy fines and licence suspension.

⛔There is no right turn on red in the UK. Speed cameras are widespread on all road types and fines are issued automatically by post — speeding is enforced very effectively.

⛔France has a strict 0.05% BAC drink-drive limit and roadside breathalyser checks are common near weekends and events — even two glasses of wine can put you over the limit.

⛔Outback driving without sufficient water, food, and a communication device is life-threatening. Carry a minimum of 5 litres of water per person per day and a satellite communicator on any remote route.

⛔The ERP toll system and parking fees in Singapore's CBD can add significant unexpected costs to driving. Ensure any rental car includes a functioning IU unit for ERP charges.

⛔ZTL camera fines for driving in restricted historic centres are sent to foreign tourists' home addresses weeks after the trip, often via rental car companies who add an admin fee on top. Check ZTL maps carefully before driving into any Italian city centre.

⛔Turkey has one of the higher road accident rates in Europe. Drive defensively, be cautious of aggressive local driving styles, and avoid night driving on mountain or rural roads.

⛔Night driving between Mexican cities carries genuine safety risks including unmarked hazards and security concerns in some regions. Strongly avoid inter-city driving after dark.

⛔Driving under the influence is heavily policed in Spain — random breathalyser checkpoints are common, particularly on holiday weekends.

⛔Never drive at night on isolated highways or in unfamiliar rural areas of Brazil — the risk of vehicle robbery, cattle on roads, and poor road conditions make night driving genuinely dangerous outside well-traveled routes.

⛔India has one of the world's highest road accident death tolls. Night driving on non-highway roads is particularly dangerous due to unlit vehicles, animals, and poor road surfaces.

⛔Attempting to drive in China on a foreign license is illegal and will invalidate any travel or vehicle insurance — do not attempt to rent or drive a vehicle without a valid Chinese driving permit.

⛔Speed cameras are pervasive across Korean highways and urban roads; strictly observe posted speed limits as fines are issued automatically and can be charged to your rental car company.

⛔Vietnam has a high road accident rate — motorbike rental without experience and proper protective gear carries a serious injury risk.

⛔ATV and quad bike accidents are the leading cause of serious tourist injuries in Greece; many rental companies have minimal safety standards — consider a small hire car instead.

⛔Driving on the A22 Algarve motorway and other electronic-toll-only roads without a transponder or subsequent online payment will result in fines.

⛔Never drive, stop, or park in a designated bicycle lane in the Netherlands — cyclists have strict legal priority and violations result in fines; more importantly, it is genuinely dangerous.

⛔Moose and other wildlife collisions are a leading cause of road fatalities in Canada. Reduce speed significantly on forested rural highways, particularly at night.

⛔Motorbike accidents are the leading cause of tourist deaths and serious injuries in Bali. Many travel insurance policies exclude motorbike accidents if you did not hold a valid motorcycle licence at home — check your policy before renting.

⛔Driving in Cairo without local experience is genuinely hazardous. The combination of extreme traffic density, informal driving norms, and limited road markings has resulted in serious accidents for inexperienced visitors.

⛔Night driving on rural roads and mountain passes in Morocco is genuinely dangerous due to unlit roads, livestock on carriageways, and minimal road markings — avoid it where possible.

⛔Driving under the influence of alcohol carries zero tolerance in Saudi Arabia — this is both illegal and violates the total alcohol ban. Penalties include imprisonment and deportation.

⛔Qatar has zero tolerance for drink-driving — even a trace of alcohol in your system while driving is a criminal offense carrying fines, imprisonment, and deportation.

⛔South Africa has one of the world's highest road fatality rates. Do not drive at night outside cities if possible, especially on unfamiliar rural roads. Cattle and wildlife on roads, combined with potholes and erratic driving, make night driving genuinely dangerous.

⛔New Zealand has a disproportionately high road fatality rate, with overseas tourists over-represented in crash statistics. Jet lag, unfamiliar left-hand driving, and scenic distractions are major factors — drive slowly and take regular breaks.

⛔Many travel insurance policies exclude motorbike accidents if you do not hold a valid motorbike licence. Check your policy before renting any two-wheeled vehicle.

⛔On Patagonian gravel roads, loose stones thrown by passing vehicles can crack windscreens — maintain a large following distance and check whether your rental insurance covers windscreen damage.

⛔Never drive in rural Colombia after dark — poor road conditions, limited lighting, and the risk of criminal activity make nighttime rural driving genuinely dangerous.

⛔Never attempt a river crossing (vado) if you cannot see the bottom or if water is moving fast — vehicles are swept away every rainy season.

⛔Andean mountain roads regularly see fatal accidents — they are narrow, frequently lack guardrails, and conditions deteriorate sharply in rain; exercise extreme caution or hire a local driver.

⛔Driving on Swiss motorways without the valid annual vignette (CHF 40) is illegal and results in an immediate fine. The vignette must be stuck to the inside of the windscreen — hanging it from the mirror is not valid.

⛔Driving on the Autobahn without a valid vignette sticker results in a fine of several hundred euros — purchase before you enter any motorway.

⛔Zero-tolerance drink-driving (0.00% BAC) is strictly enforced — do not drive after any alcohol, including a single beer.

⛔Poland's drink driving limit is 0.02% BAC — one standard drink can put you over the limit. Police conduct regular roadside breath tests and penalties include immediate license suspension and criminal charges.

⛔Moose on roads are a genuine, serious hazard in Sweden — collisions are frequently fatal. Reduce speed and heighten vigilance on forested roads, particularly at dawn and dusk.

⛔Mountain roads in Norway (Trollstigen, Geiranger, Hardangervidda) are closed in winter and can be dramatic even in summer — check vegvesen.no for road conditions and closures before driving mountain routes.

⛔The coastal road through the Neum corridor in Bosnia and Herzegovina requires your passport and has border crossings that can cause significant delays in summer — factor in extra time.

⛔Hungary's 0.00% BAC drink-drive law is absolute — even a single beer can put you over the legal limit for driving, and penalties include on-the-spot licence confiscation and criminal charges.

⛔Never photograph military checkpoints or soldiers under any circumstances — cameras must remain completely stowed when approaching and passing through any checkpoint.

⛔Driving standards in Sri Lanka are significantly more chaotic than in Western countries. Overtaking on blind corners, unmarked speed bumps, and unexpected obstructions are common. Self-driving tourists have a higher accident rate than those using local drivers.

⛔Mountain road accidents are a leading cause of tourist fatalities in Nepal; do not underestimate the danger of narrow cliff-edge roads, especially at night or in wet conditions.

⛔Kenya has very high road traffic fatality rates. Night driving outside major cities is a serious risk due to unlit roads, wandering livestock, pedestrians, and potholes. Arrange to complete all inter-town driving well before dark.

⛔Driving at night outside major Tanzanian cities is genuinely dangerous due to unlighted livestock on roads, broken-down vehicles without lights, and wildlife near park boundaries — avoid it entirely where possible.

⛔Distracted driving laws (no hand-held phone use while driving) are enforced in most states and fines are substantial — use hands-free Bluetooth or pull over to use your phone while driving.