Check rules before driving abroad

The rules differ in small but potentially crucial ways, so it always makes sense to check them out.

l The legal driving age

In the UK we can drive cars at 17 but for France, Spain, Germany, Italy and many other countries across Europe, you need to be 18. In the USA most states allow drivers behind the wheel at 16 but the minimum limit is 18 in others.

If you’re planning on hiring a car, things are different. In Spain, Germany and Italy there’s the same 18 minimum age but in France you have to be either 20 or 21 depending on the type of car you’re trying to hire.

You’ll also need to have held a full licence for a year.

In America, there are more potential hire hazards for the young and old. Many agencies won’t entertain anyone under 25. Some will allow under 25s at a premium and some will not rent a car to anyone over 71.

l The right documents

The general message across our European countries is to always carry your driving licence and if it’s an old-style licence without a photograph, your passport for verification. If you’re driving your own car, you’ll also need the V5 registration document and your insurance certificate.

You’ll probably need an International Driving Permit to drive in the US as it’s required by some states and car rental agencies. Carry your full UK driving licence as well - that’s the photocard and the paper section if it’s one of the new licences.

n Belt up

Seatbelts are compulsory for front and back-seat occupants in France, Spain, Germany and Italy. In America, nearly all the states have laws requiring front seat occupants to wear belts but the laws for those in the rear vary from state to state. The best bet to be safe is to belt up.

In France, children under ten are not allowed in the front seat and any child in the back weighing between 9 and 15kg must have a child seat. In Spain, the under 12s can’t travel in the front without a suitably adapted restraint system and the same goes for rear seat passengers under 153cm tall.

German law requires anyone under 12 and less than 150cm tall to be in an approved child seat. The Italians have a 150cm height limit under which children must have a UNECE approved child restraint.

n If you break down

In all five countries covered, drivers are required to place reflective warning triangles in front and behind the vehicle. France, Italy and Spain also require a reflective jacket to be carried in the vehicle and worn if you break down.

Fines can result if you don’t have one.

All the European countries have emergency telephones situated at intervals along the side of their main roads through which you can gain assistance.

It’s also important to get the registration number of any other cars that are involved in any accident. In the USA, rental cars have an emergency contact number on the dash.

n Local customs

There are plenty of rules that are specific to a few countries that might well be handy to know before you drive.

Find out about the use of headlight converters, horns, rules at traffic lights and behaviour behind the wheel, including the use of gestures and bad language.