The holiday season is coming and most will be driving around Europe. To make sure you are on the right side of the law, here are a few laws to keep in mind from various countries within the EU including Switzerland.
Belgium:
- Motorcycles and mopeds have to be ridden with their lights on even during the day.
- First aid kit, fire extinguisher and safety vest are required for all authorized vehicles in Belgium. Moreover, all motorists have to carry a warning triangle with them all the time.
- The speed limit on motorways is 120 km / h
Bulgaria:
- Driving with lights on during the day is compulsory from November 1 to March 1 .
- Every driver should carry a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, warning triangle and safety vest
- The speed limit on motorways is 130 km / h
Denmark:
- Driving with lights on during the day is compulsory
- Every driver should carry a first aid kit , fire extinguisher and a warning triangle
- The speed limit on motorways is 130 km / h
Finnland:
- Driving with lights on during the day is compulsory
- Every driver should carry a warning triangle. The first aid kit , fire extinguisher and safety vest are optional but recommended
France:
- Motorcycles and mopeds have to be ridden with their lights on even during the day.
- It’s recommended that motorists should have their lights on even during the day when driving outside built up areas.
- Every driver should carry a warning triangle and safety vest
- The first aid kit, fire extinguisher and alcohol testing device are optional
Greece:
- Every driver should carry a warning triangle, first aid kit and fire extinguisher
- Motorcycles and mopeds have to be ridden with their lights on even during the day
- The safety vest is optional
Great Britain and Ireland:
- Motorcycles and mopeds may have their lights on during the day
- The first aid kit and warning triangle are optional
- The speed limit on motorways is 112 km/h (70 mph).
Italy:
- Motorcycles, mopeds and motorists outside populated areas have to drive with their lights on during the day
- The first aid kit and fire extinguisher are optional
- A warning triangle and safety vest are compulsory
- The speed limit on motorways is 130 km/h.
Croatia:
- From October 31 – until March 31, motorists must drive with lights on ,
- A first aid kit, warning triangle and safety vest for s are mandatory for all cars
- drivers must always have replacement bulbs for headlights in the luggage .
- Those who travel by car and caravan trailer , must carry a second mandatory warning triangle.
- All commercial vehicles must carry fire extinguishers.
- Speed limit : 130 km / h
Luxembourg:
- Motorcycles and mopeds have to be ridden with their lights on even during the day.
- It’s recommended that motorists should have their lights on even during the day when driving outside built up areas.
- The first aid kit and fire extinguisher are optional
- A warning triangle and safety vest are compulsory
- pedestrians must wear the vests at night or on roads with poor visibility .
- Maximum speed on motorways : 130 km / h
Netherlands:
- A warning triangle but at night and in low visibility areas, it becomes compulsory
- Maximum speed on motorways : 120 km / h
Norway:
- Everyone has to drive with lights on during the day
- Registered vehicles must carry safety vests .
- Warning triangles are compulsory for all tricycles and cars.
- A first aid kit and fire extinguisher are optional.
- Tempolimit: 90 km / h
Austria:
- In poor visibility vehicles must drive with light turn on.
- First aid kits are compulsory for all ,
- Warning triangle and safety vests are only compulsory for cars.
- The speed limit is 130 km / h
Poland:
- Warning triangles and driving with lights on is mandatory for all motor vehicles.
- Safety vests and first aid kits are optional .
- On motorways applies 140 km / h
Portugal:
- mopeds and motorcycles have to have their lights on during the day .
- There’s no regulations for foreign cars regarding the first aid kit, fire extinguisher, safety vest and warning triangle.
- Maximum speed on motorways : 120 km / h
Spanien:
- motorcycles have to have their lights on during the day
- Warning triangle is mandatory for all motor vehicles
- all drivers have to wear a reflective vest in case of breakdown or accident.
- the top speed is 120 km / h on motorways.
Slovakia:
- light on, is compulsory for the whole year for cars and motorcycles.
- first aid kit and warning triangle are mandatory
- All motorists and bikers must wear a safety vest, in the event of a breakdown or an accident outside of populated areas .
- a replacement lamp for headlights is compulsory .
- Maximum speed on motorways : 130 km / h
Slowenien:
- light on, is compulsory for the whole year for cars and motorcycles.
- all inmates are have to wear a warning vest when they leave the vehicle on highways
- Motorists also need to have a warning triangle at hand. Cars caravan need two
- Fire extinguishers are only compulsory for trucks and buses.
- The first aid kit, is mandatory but only for vehicles registered in Slovenia
- a replacement bulb for the headlights are compulsory.
- The speed limit on Slovenian highways is 130 km / h
Schweden:
- light on, is compulsory for the whole year for cars and motorcycles.
- the warning triangle is compulsory
- First aid kit and fire extinguisher aren’t mandatory but are recommended
- The speed limit is 120 km / h
Switzerland:
- Motorists need to have a warning triangle at hand (not in the trunk).
- first aid kits and fire extinguishers are optional
- The speed limit is 120 km / h
Czech Republic:
- Motorists have to drive with their lights on
- Warning triangle and safety vest are compulsory
- The fire extinguisher is optional for private
- Speed limit: 130 km/h.
Hungary:
- Motorists have to drive with their lights on outside built-up areas
- Warning triangle and safety vest are compulsory
- Pedestrians outside built-up areas have to wear a reflective vest at night and in areas with poor visibility.
- The speed limit is 130 km / h
