There are many things to consider when planning a trip abroad, from booking flights and accommodations to researching local customs and attractions. However, one important aspect that is often overlooked is familiarizing yourself with the traffic laws of the destination country. This oversight can lead to confusion, frustration and even danger when navigating unfamiliar roads.
Learning other countries’ traffic rules before traveling is essential so you can navigate foreign roads with confidence and safety. You’d be surprised to see how different some regulations are in other nations. Add understanding these regulations to your to-do list when preparing for your vacation.
Essentials for Driving in Another Country
Before diving into the details of learning and following other countries’ traffic rules, know the basics to ensure your and others’ safety on the road. Call it a refresher course if you will. Here are some must-dos:
- See if you need extra registration: For example, if you want to travel responsibly in France, you must adhere to travel guidelines like getting a “clean air” sticker on your car. They identify how much emissions your vehicle produces based on the standard.
- Get an International Driving Permit (IDP): An IDP is a document that allows you to drive legally in foreign countries. It’s recognized worldwide and includes your name, photo and driver’s license information. You must provide proof of your identity and a valid driver’s license to obtain one.
- Check your vehicle insurance coverage: Before driving abroad, check your insurance policy to see if it covers you outside your home country. If not, consider purchasing additional insurance in case of an accident or other unforeseen events.
- Plan your routes: Before starting your journey, plan your route using a map or GPS. This will help prevent you from getting lost and ensure you take the most efficient route.
- Pack essential items: Ensure you have all necessary documents, such as your passport, driver’s license, car registration and proof of insurance. You should also pack a first-aid kit, spare tire, jumper cables and other emergency supplies. Some countries require you to carry reflective jackets for each occupant, a warning triangle, headlamp beam deflectors, a spare bulb kit and snow chains. It’s a good idea to purchase a European driving kit containing the most necessary items if driving there.
- Brush up on the local language: While many people speak English, knowing a few basic phrases in the local language is always helpful. This can come in handy if you get lost or need assistance.
- Drive defensively: Always be aware of your surroundings and anticipate the actions of other drivers. Recent studies have shown that pedestrian detection systems, while increasingly more common in cars, are only about 40% successful at preventing collisions. Defensive driving techniques, such as maintaining a safe following distance, signaling before turning or changing lanes, and being prepared for unexpected situations are necessary to help keep you safe on the road.
- Know how to navigate icy roads: To navigate an icy road, start by slowing down and allowing extra time to react. Use low gear when driving uphill and avoid sudden movements or hard braking. If your vehicle begins to slide, release the gas pedal and steer in the direction you want the car to go. Avoid using cruise control and keep a safe distance from other vehicles.
Be aware of potential hazards such as black ice, which can be difficult to see. The snow chains will come in handy here. Consider using snow tires for added traction. Keep a winter survival kit in your car, including items like blankets, a flashlight and snacks.
- Stay alert and awake: Long drives can be tiring, especially in unfamiliar territory. Ensure you get plenty of rest before driving and avoid getting behind the wheel during peak sleepiness hours — usually between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Why It’s Important to Understand Traffic Rule Variations Across Countries
Different countries have different rules of the road, and it’s important to understand these before getting behind the wheel. For example, some nations have people drive on the left side of the road while others stay on the right. There may also be strict speed limits or unique traffic signs you may not be familiar with.
Left-Hand Driving Versus Right-Hand Driving
This is one of the most significant differences between some countries. It’s influenced by several factors.
History and tradition have seen the United Kingdom, South Africa, Hong Kong and Australia adopt left-hand driving, while the U.S., Greece and Brazil adopt right-hand driving. Medieval European knights would ride on the left side of the road to leave their right arms free for combat. American settlers used the right-hand side, which was adopted into the infrastructure with automotive technology developments.
It’s also influenced by practicality and safety. Drivers would sit in the middle when cars were first invented. Over time, manufacturers started to put the steering wheel to the left side so people could see incoming traffic clearly.
This was also based on the fact that most people are right-handed and it would be easier to change gears with their strongest arm. With these developments, some countries chose to stay with left-hand driving since it was already ingrained in the culture and infrastructure.
Traffic Lights
Most countries have a three-light traffic sequence — red for stop, green for go and yellow for prepare to stop. However, in Hong Kong, the U.K., Poland and Germany, the sequence includes red and yellow together before green. This is to alert drivers that the traffic light will change soon so they can get ready to go.
This same color combination is an all-pedestrian phase or scramble in some countries like Tokyo, Canada and the Netherlands. Every car stops, and pedestrians can cross the intersection in all directions simultaneously, including diagonally.
In some jurisdictions, people can still turn at a red light as long as they yield to other cars and pedestrians where necessary. In others, a traffic light with a green arrow will signal you can turn. Intersections with the green arrow may feature a “no turn on red” sign. On one-way roads, you may be able to turn at a red traffic light in the opposite direction into another one-way road. Streets like this usually do not allow pedestrians to cross, so drivers would only have to watch for other vehicles.
In France and Spain, a right turn would feature a flashing yellow arrow alongside the red, signaling drivers to go ahead. It may also flash for left turns or to go straight ahead in some cases.
In the Netherlands, 60% of the residents use bicycles as their primary transportation. The country’s “Green Wave” system adjusts traffic lights so cyclists can minimize stops and travel at a constant speed.
Speed Limits and Enforcement
While speed limits exist in every country, the rules and regulations around them vary. It also helps to understand local law enforcement and the penalties you can incur from traffic violations. The level of enforcement varies among countries. In some places, like Italy, traffic police are highly visible and actively enforce laws, while in other countries, like India, they are less conspicuous. Some varying speed limit regulations include:
- Grace miles: Some countries will give grace for going above the speed limit up to 20 kilometers per hour, while others will give you a speeding ticket for going even just 1 kilometer over. You should always aim to drive below the speed limit.
- Speed camera warnings: In places like South Africa, you will see warning signage for an upcoming speed trap or traffic camera. This places more importance on slowing down on certain roads. In other countries, secret speed traps are established in various areas to catch people exceeding the speed limit.
- Speeding fines: Some of the most expensive places to get a speeding ticket are Canada, with tickets reaching up to $1,553, and Belgium with $4,746. In Finland, you are penalized based on your income, and a fine can reach $130,000.
Tips for Adapting to Traffic Rules in Other Countries
One of the most important things to know about your destination is how it uses signage. This will prevent confusion when you see something unfamiliar. Although most signs are universal, you would be surprised at some of the differences worldwide. Here are some tips on adapting to traffic rules by recognizing signage and following driving customs.
Familiarize Yourself With Local Road Signs and Symbols
You’ll notice a few different signs depending on your destination. However, most conform to the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals. For the most part, certain colors and geometric shapes will mean the same thing.
Common color usage:
- Red: Red is mostly reserved for warning signs like stop, danger, do not enter or wrong way.
- Green: All green signs are for direction, information, and safety on highways and roads.
- Blue: Blue is usually used for road services, service routes and evacuations. It’s also the universal color to indicate parking space for disabled drivers.
- Yellow: Yellow is reserved for general warning signs for special situations or hazards, mostly for animals or unusual situations.
- Orange: Orange designates temporary traffic changes for highway construction or maintenance.
Common shape usage:
- Vertical rectangle: Regulatory signs like speed limits
- Horizontal rectangle: Guide signs like no parking zones and information like gas station or rest area locations
- Circle: Emergency evacuation signs or railroad crossings
- Diamond: Warning signs like turns ahead, animal crossings, slippery roads and steep hills
- Octagon: Most stop signs
- Triangle: Yield signs
Unique signage across the globe:
The most common variations seen in any signage are stop signs, animal alert signs, and pedestrian crossing signs. If you’re a fan of slow travel and valuing the journey, unique signage is an opportunity to capture the essence of your driving journey through pictures.
- Stop sign variations: Although the universal stop sign is a red octagon with a bold “STOP” in white lettering, countries like Ethiopia, Israel and Pakistan have a hand signal indicating you should stop. Israel and Togo have a circle sign with an upside-down triangle, Papua New Guinea’s sign is shaped like a shield and Japan’s stop sign is an upside-down triangle.
- Animal alert sign variations: Depending on the country you visit, you’ll see an elk sign in Sweden, a beaver sign in Canada, a camel sign in northern African countries, and signs for animals like elephants, giraffes and rhinos in South Africa.
- Pedestrian crossing: This might be the most interesting sign of them all. Although the universal sign is a man walking, countries have changed it to suit their culture. For example, Laos is a woman, Qatar’s symbol is a man in a thobe while Japan and Israel have men in hats.
Study Driving Customs and Norms
Drivers must follow specific customs or courtesies in some countries. For example, in some places, it’s considered rude to honk your horn unnecessarily, while in others, you’re expected to use your horn frequently.
Two significant rules you’ll need to follow are intersection and roundabout rules. They differ worldwide, reflecting local customs, laws and infrastructure. While there are some general similarities, there are also notable differences. Here are some key variations:
- Right-of-way: In many countries, including the United States, Canada and the U.K., drivers are expected to yield to pedestrians and cyclists at crosswalks and intersections. Vancouver, Canada, has a particularly expansive network of bike lanes around the city to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions. However, in Japan and Korea, pedestrians are expected to yield to vehicles.
- Traffic flow: In some countries, traffic flows in the opposite direction than what you might be used to. For example, traffic drives on the left side of the road in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, whereas in most European countries, with the exception of the U.K and Ireland, it’s on the right. This affects which lane you should be in when approaching an intersection and which way you should turn.
- Turn signals: In some countries, turn signals are not as commonly used as in others. For example, in Japan, drivers rarely use turn signals, relying more on hand gestures and looking over their shoulders to indicate their intentions.
- Pedestrian crossing signals: Pedestrian crossing signals may display symbols or colors different from those familiar to visitors from other countries. For example, the pedestrian signal in Japan shows a green man wearing a hat, while in South Korea, it shows a yellow man with raised arms.
- Roundabout etiquette: Roundabouts, also known as traffic circles or rotaries, can have different rules and conventions. Drivers prioritize traffic already in the circle in some countries, while in others, vehicles circulating already must yield to cars entering the roundabout. Some rotaries have specific lanes for turning, while others allow turns from any lane.
- Emerging from intersections: In some countries, drivers are expected to slow down and look both ways before emerging from an intersection, even if they have the green light. This is the case in Japan, where pedestrians are given priority.
- Yield signs: Yield signs are not always present or respected in all countries. In some places, like India, drivers often ignore yield signs and merge aggressively into traffic.
- Bicycle lanes and rights: Countries vary in their provision and protection of bicycle lanes. In some cities, like Amsterdam and Copenhagen, cycling is encouraged and protected with dedicated bike lanes and strict rules for motorists. Cycling is less common in other places, like Tokyo, and bike lanes are scarce.
- Road markings and signage: Road markings and signage can differ in color, shape, size and content. Depending on the location, the lane dividers may be solid lines, dashed lines or nonexistent.
Be Aware of Unusual Customs
Some countries have driving customs enforced by law for the safety and comfort of all drivers. These may be related to cultural norms or laws that came into effect because of repeated accidents or traffic events. Some of these laws include:
- You can’t drive without a shirt on in Thailand.
- You can pay a fine in Australia for sticking your arm out the window for non-signaling purposes.
- The Philippines’ Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program reduces traffic congestion by restricting the number of cars on the road by license plate. If it ends in one or two, you must stay off the road on Mondays. It’s three and four on Tuesdays, up to Friday with nine and zero.
- Drinking water while driving is illegal in Cyprus.
- In Japan and Australia, pedestrians are protected by law from splashing mud or water onto pedestrians while driving.
- In some Scandinavian countries, you must always keep your headlights on when driving, even during the day.
- You must have a fire extinguisher in your car at all times in Bulgaria and Zimbabwe.
- On Germany’s autobahn, it’s illegal to stop, run out of gas, make a U-turn or have a breakdown. If Germany’s on your list of countries to visit, you’ll want to ensure you have enough gas and your car is well maintained to avoid emergencies.
How to Practice Eco-Friendly Driving Abroad
With your knowledge of driving practices and rules for your destination, you’re set to have a seamless driving experience wherever you go. You should also consider how you can be an eco-friendly driver.
Practice Fuel Efficiency
There are several ways to practice eco-friendly driving when you go abroad. Rent a car with good gas mileage or an electric or hybrid vehicle. Many rental companies now offer these options. If you’re using your own vehicle, ensure it’s up to date with maintenance and service for optimum fuel efficiency and fewer emissions.
Avoid sudden acceleration and braking, which can lower your fuel efficiency. Instead, maintain a steady speed and use cruise control if available. Also, pack light. The lighter the load in the car, the more fuel-efficient it will be. Whenever possible, use ride-sharing services or carpools to get around.
Consider Alternative Transport
While driving is convenient, consider reducing driving time by using public transit or walking. It’s more eco-friendly and a great way to experience the local culture. While you may have already planned your road trip or signed off on the car rental, consider these alternative options for your next trip. For example, you could go on an e-bike tour in Australia for an eco-friendly adventure.
Prioritize Eco-Friendly Accommodation
Choose eco-friendly accommodation to further reduce your carbon footprint. Look for properties with sustainability measures such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting or recycling programs.
How to Research Traffic Rules Before Traveling
Do you want to conduct in-depth research before heading to your destination abroad? There are several places to find all the information you need to help you follow the laws of the land you’re driving in.
Official Government Resources
In your search engine, type “traffic rules, name of the country you’re visiting and government website.” You’ll see results about road safety, driving rules and highway codes. Each will give different information. For example, the Quebec traffic rules page focuses on safety at intersections, near railways and around school buses. In contrast, the U.K. Highway code focuses more on safety inside the vehicle, such as seat belts or the drinking limit.
Travel Forums
Another great place to look is on travel forums focusing on specific countries. You will find details about traffic safety, as well as threads covering different cities and their variations of laws. It’s also a great place to find information related to general travel and expectations when you reach your destination.
Travel Agents or Locals
Consult with your travel agent and ask them to let you know about traffic rules you should know about. Ask any family or friends in the area. While official resources will give you helpful information, hearing it from people firsthand will provide you with even more knowledge. Also, when you plan your road trip, they can give you the best routes for sightseeing or refreshment stops.
Learning and Following Other Countries’ Traffic Rules
Learning the traffic rules of the countries you plan to visit is crucial when preparing for an international trip. It can help you avoid fines and legal troubles and ensure everyone’s safety on the road. By researching, familiarizing yourself with local signs and signals, and being mindful of cultural differences, you can confidently navigate the streets in foreign lands.
Remember, it’s always better to be prepared than to risk encountering problems due to lack of knowledge. Before setting off on your next adventure, take some time to learn about the traffic rules of your destination to enjoy a stress-free and enjoyable journey.
Author Bio
Jack Shaw has spent the last five years writing freelance and seeing as much of the world as he can. He has a distinct love of traveling and exploring new cultures. Writings about his experiences can be found on Modded, The Travel Magazine, Duluth Pack and more.
