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Holidaymakers have been warned they could face fines of up to £6,000 if they fail to follow road rules abroad.
To avoid a trip to Europe costing thousands of dollars more than expected, drivers are advised to research the driving laws of the country thoroughly before traveling and to abide by the rules.
For example, Germany has a £1,270 fine for vehicles without safety features. If a driver is stopped by the police and found not to be wearing a reflective jacket, warning triangle or first aid kit, a fine will be issued.
Carrying safety equipment is also a legal requirement in Spain, with fines of up to £635, and in France the fine is £170.
In France, car navigation systems are also very strict when it comes to their systems for showing the locations of speed cameras.
If you’re heading off on a summer beach holiday or countryside camping trip in France and you’re caught driving with a speed camera alarm installed, you could be hit with a fine of £1,270.
To avoid this unnecessary expense, we recommend checking your car navigation settings and turning off the alert feature.
But it’s road assault that can bring the heaviest fines.
In the UK, making a rude gesture or honking your horn aggressively can land you a fine of up to £1,000, but Germany takes this much more seriously, with various fines depending on the severity of the offence.
Giving another driver the middle finger can land you a £3,390 fine, and calling someone a “stupid” can land you a £593 fine – but calling someone a “pig” doesn’t seem so bad at all, at just £400.
It’s not just what’s in your car that can affect your fine, but also what the car looks like.
If a car is registered in the UK it is mandatory for it to display a ‘national identifier’ in the form of a sticker.
If you don’t have the correct identification number, you could face an on-the-spot fine of up to £120 in Spain and Cyprus, and up to £85 in Germany.
Car experts LeaseCar.uk have compiled a list of the five most costly fines to help you avoid making mistakes when driving abroad. These are:
Swearing or being rude whilst driving could land you in a fine of £3,400. Not carrying safety equipment could land you in a fine of £1,270. Having a speed camera warning on your satnav could land you in a fine of £1,270. Not carrying a spare pair of prescription glasses in case your main pair is damaged could land you in a fine of £170. Not having a UK sticker to identify your vehicle could land you in a fine of £120.
Looking for a complete checklist of rules to keep in mind when driving abroad? Read our guide to the new driving laws you need to know in 2024
