Tips for Driving in Europe (2024)

Driving in another country can be daunting. There are different rules, languages and perhaps even a whole other side of the road. Here are some of my tips to help you when driving in Europe.

Over the years we have driven in many different countries in Europe. From the Greek Islands to the German autobahns, it has certainly been an experience.

While I recommend using public transport while in the cities of Europe, to really explore the countryside, the smaller villages and all the off-the-beaten-path locations, you really need a car.

So let’s jump in to all my tips to make driving in Europe a pleasurable experience, not a painful one.

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1.Know the Local Rules and Regulations

Each European country has its own driving laws and regulations. Familiarise yourself with speed limits, road signs, and any unique rules (like mandatory safety vests or breathalyser kits in France – who knew?).

Often if you do need extra equipment (like those safety vests) they will already be supplied in your rental car, but if you rent in, say, Italy and then drive into France, the car may not have them. Always check.

A quick Google search of “driving in {country}” will usually get you a summary of what you need to know.

2.Get the Right Documentation

Ensure you have all necessary documents: a valid driver’s licence, car insurance, vehicle registration, and, if required, an International Driving Permit (IDP).

That IDP is a good one. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard “But I rented a car fine in Italy/France/Germany without an IDP”.

The thing is, it is not up to the car rental company to ensure you have one. They don’t care, they just want their money for renting you the car. They have clauses to indemnify themselves if you are not properly licensed.

If you are pulled over or are in an accident, the police will care, and your insurance company will care, because legally, if you don’t have an IDP in some countries, you are considered to be driving unlicensed.

I never want to have that experience.

You need to get an IDP from your local automobile association before you leave your home country if one is required.

Don’t know if you need one? The rule of thumb I use is that if my license language (English) is not the official language of the country I will be driving in, then I need it. A quick search will give you the exact information.

The only exception I can think of is Greece, who does not require some people to have an IDP.

3.Understand Toll Systems

Many European countries have toll roads. Have some cash or a credit card handy for toll booths, or consider getting a toll tag for easier travel, especially if you’re planning to cover long distances.

Coming from a state in Australia that doesn’t have tolls, they are a bit of a mystery to me. On my 2024 trips, we only used cards to pay at toll stations in Spain and France.

As we approached, there was usually a range of gates with different symbols above. We went to one with the credit card symbol, swiped the card and off we went.

The downside was that often we didn’t know how much we were paying until we saw it on the statement later. It was not unusual to spend €30+ a day on tolls.

4.Understand Vignettes and Emission Stickers

Some European countries, like Austria, Switzerland, and Slovenia, require a vignette (a type of road tax sticker) for using their motorways.

Make sure to purchase these at border crossings, petrol stations, or online before you hit the road.

You can avoid paying for the vignettes by sticking to local roads and staying off the motorways, but I am not sure the cost saving is worth the extra time and fuel.

Additionally, cities like Paris and Berlin have low-emission zones requiring specific stickers to enter. Check requirements for each country to avoid hefty fines.

5.Learn Basic Phrases

Knowing a few key phrases in the local language can be incredibly helpful. Simple words like “exit”, “left”, “right”, and “help” can make navigating and asking for directions much easier.

Once you know what fuel your car takes, learn what that is in the local language too. I like to ask at the car rental counter.

I don’t know how many places we drove past in France looking for what we call “Diesel” fuel to discover we needed to find “Gazole” – which was probably at all of them.

6.Plan Your Parking

Parking can be tricky in European cities. Look for designated parking areas and be prepared for narrow streets and tight spots. Parking apps can be a lifesaver for finding spots and understanding parking fees.

For me, parking is one of the most stressful things, but finding a place in advance and paying to park there, it saves a lot of random driving down narrow streets that could lead you anywhere.

Besides, the extra walking means you can have another gelato, right?

7.Avoid Town Centres When Possible

Following on from the parking…

Driving in European town centres can be challenging due to narrow streets, pedestrian zones, and limited parking. It’s often best to park outside the centre and use public transport to explore.

There are lots of places that require a permit to drive into the town centre, and I’ve heard many tales of fines appearing in the mail months after the European trip has ended.

So stay out of the town centres.

This approach not only reduces stress but also lets you enjoy the local charm at a leisurely pace.

…and the extra walking will earn you another gelato 🙂

8.Be Prepared for Different Driving Conditions

Europe’s landscape varies greatly, from the flat motorways of the Netherlands to the winding mountain roads of the Alps. Adjust your driving style accordingly and be prepared for weather changes, especially in mountainous regions.

We experienced this driving from Spain to France in March. Beautiful sunshine on both sides of the Pyrenees, but as we crossed the mountains it was snowing, and we were wondering if we should have had snow tyres on the car!

9.Rent Wisely

If you’re renting a car, choose one that suits the type of driving you’ll be doing. A smaller car is ideal for city driving, while something more robust might be better for rural or mountainous areas.

Having said that, “more robust” in Europe is not a huge truck or 4WD as you might expect. If you rent something that big you will never be able to park it or get down the narrow streets.

The SUV (Kia Sportage) I drive at home in Australia is considered a small SUV, in Europe it would be on the larger side.

In general, when renting in Europe, small cars are better.

Small cars in Europe can be as tiny as single-seat cars, no bigger than a golf cart.

10.Use a GPS or Navigation App

A reliable GPS or navigation app can make your journey stress-free. Ensure it’s updated with the latest maps and traffic information. Google Maps, Maps.Me and Waze are popular choices.

I personally use Google Maps on my phone, preferably through ApplePlay in the car.

Occasionally it takes me somewhere crazy, like a tiny laneway or wants me to go the wrong way down a one-way street, but on the whole, it does a good job.

It also sometimes gets confused when there are roadworks and detours, but you just have to use common sense until you can get to a point where you get back on track.

11.Watch Out for Cyclists and Pedestrians

Many European cities are very pedestrian and cyclist-friendly. Be extra cautious in urban areas and always yield to pedestrians at crossings.

When you come from a country that does not have so many bicycles on the roads, it does take an extra effort to always be aware.

Okay, as a pedestrian in some European countries, it may not seem like cars need to give way to you, but I believe the rules actually say that they should.

There are also a lot more “shared zones” in Europe, where pedestrians, bikes and cars all share the same space – and cars are the ones who have to give way.

12.Take Breaks and Enjoy the Scenery

And finally…Europe is beautiful, so don’t rush your road trip.

Take regular breaks to rest and enjoy the stunning views, charming towns, and local cuisine. It’s as much about the journey as it is the destination!

Bonus Tip: Practice Driving on the Opposite Side

If you’re used to driving on the left and are heading to a country where they drive on the right (or vice versa), take some time to adjust.

Be extra cautious at intersections and roundabouts, and always remember to keep to the correct side of the road!

Rent a car with an automatic transmission if possible to reduce the number of things to think about.

Practice in a quiet area first to get comfortable with the new perspective and controls. We always try to rent a car outside the city centre (usually at an airport) as we are leaving the city.

For example, we spent four days in Barcelona, and as we were leaving, rather than pick the car up in the city centre, we took the train to the airport and picked it up there.

Then it was straight out onto the highways and country roads rather than dealing with the extra traffic in the city while we got used to the car and the wrong side of the road.

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