Comparison of European traffic laws explained

This is a comparison of European traffic laws.

Many countries in Europe have different policies on traffic laws, which are tabulated below. Speed limits on motorways (expressways), dual carriageways (divided streets), single carriageways (undivided streets), and urban areas may differ. Some countries have an upper limit on permitted blood alcohol level (typically maxing out at 0.05%), but other countries do not allow any blood alcohol content at all. Furthermore, rules may also differ whether drivers may be required or recommended to bring seatbelts, triangles, first aid, fire extinguishers, spare bulbs, and tow ropes. Countries also vary with respect to minimum driver's age (typically either 17 or 18) and the minimum child age for them to be allowed in the front seat.

General

Country Speed limit on motorway (km/h) Speed limit on dual carriageway (km/h) Speed limit on single carriageway (km/h) Speed limit in urban area Permitted alcohol level (%) Toll roads Seatbelt required Minimum child age (front seat) Triangle required First aid required Fire extinguisher required Spare bulb required Minimum driver's age Tow rope required
A 130 100 100 50 0.05 17
AL 110 90 40 0 [1] 18
AND 90 50 0.05 10 18
B 120 90 70 (Flanders);
90 (Wallonia) 		50 0.05 [2] 12 18 (17 with supervision of parents)
BG 140 90 50 0.05 10 18
BIH 130 100 80 50 0.03 [3] 12 18
BY 110 90 60 0.03 [4] 12 18
CH 120 80 (100 on limited-access roads) 50 0.05 18
CY 100 80 50 0.05 12 18
CZ 130 90 (110 on expressways) 90 50 0 18 (17 for B1 cars)
D [5] no or speed limit sign (130 recommended) no or speed limit sign (130 recommended) 100 50 0.05 [6] 18 (17 with supervision of >30 years old driver)
DK 130 80 50 0.05 18
E 120 120 90 50 0.05 18
EST 110 110 90 50 0 18 (16 with supervision of a person with 2+ years of driving experience)
F 130 (rain/wet 110) 110 (rain/wet 100) 80 50 0.05 10 18 (15 with supervision of a person with 5+ years of driving experience)
FIN 120[7] 80–100 50 0.05 3 17 (16 with supervision of a 25+ years old person with 5+ years of driving experience)
FL 80 50 0.08 18
GR 130 90 50 0.05 12 18
H 130 110 90 50 0 12 18 (17 with supervision of someone with 10+ years drive-experience)
HR 130 110 80 50 0.05 12 18
I 130 110 90 50 0.05 12 18
IRL 120 80 (local & regional roads);
100 (national roads)		50 0.05 [8] 17
IS 90 (paved roads);
80 (gravel roads) 		50 0.05 14 17
L 130 90 50 0.05 11 18
LT 130 110 90 50 0.04 12 18
LV 90 90 50 0.05 18
M 80 50 0.08 [9] 11 18
MC 50 0.05 10 18
MD 90 50 0 12 18
NMK 130 80 60 0.05 12 18
MNE 120 80 50 0.05 12
N 110 80 50 0.02 18
NL 100 (day)[10] 130 (night)100 80 50 0.05 [11] 12 18 (17 with supervision of someone with 5+ years drive-experience)
P120 100 90 50 0.05 12 18
PL 140 100 (120 on expressways) 90 (100 on expressways) 50 0.02 18 (16 for B1 cars)
RO 130 100 (110 on expressways)90 50 0 12 18 (16 for B1 cars)
RSM 70 50 0.08 12 18
RUS [12] 110 90 60 0 12 18
S 110 70 50 0.02 18
SK 130 90 90 50 0 12 18 (17 with supervision of someone with 10+ years drive-experience)
SLO 130 100 90 50 0.05 12 18
SRB 130 100 80 50 0.02 12 18 (17 with supervision of someone with 5+ years drive-experience)
TR 120 110 (cars) / 90 (rest) 90 50 0.05 10 18
UA 130 110 90 50 0 12 18
UK 113 (70 mph) 113 (70 mph) 97 (60 mph) 48 (30 mph) 0.08 (0.05 Scotland) 17
Country Speed limit on motorway (km/h) Speed limit on dual carriageway (km/h) Speed limit on single carriageway (km/h) Speed limit in urban area Permitted alcohol level (%) Toll roads Seatbelt required Minimum child age (front seat) Triangle required First aid required Fire extinguisher required Spare bulb required Minimum driver's age Tow rope required

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Global status report on road safety 2013: Albania. World Health Organization. 30 June 2016.
  2. Web site: Laws and Tips for Driving in Belgium - EUroadlegal.co.uk . EUroadlegal.co.uk . 14 August 2013.
  3. Web site: Global status report on road safety 2013: Bosnia and Herzegovina. World Health Organization. 30 June 2016.
  4. Web site: Global status report on road safety 2013: Belarus. World Health Organization. 30 June 2016.
  5. Web site: Germany Traffic Code. www.gesetze-im-internet.de. German. 2013-07-15.
  6. Web site: Laws and Tips for Driving in Germany - EUroadlegal.co. . EUroadlegal.co.uk . 14 August 2013.
  7. The general speed limit on Finnish motorways is the same as the general speed limit outside built-up areas (80 km/h). The maximum speed that can be allowed is 120 km/h. In winter speed limit in motorways is 100 km/h
  8. Web site: Laws and Tips for Driving in Ireland - EUroadlegal.co.uk . EUroadlegal.co.uk . 14 August 2013.
  9. Web site: Global status report on road safety 2013: Malta. 30 June 2016.
  10. Web site: Snelheid in het verkeer: de regels ANWB . 2023-10-17 . www.anwb.nl.
  11. Web site: Dutch Toll Roads – A guide to toll roads in The Netherlands - rhinocarhire.com . rhinocarhire.com . 8 June 2016. (There are two tunnels, in which you have to pay toll)
  12. Web site: Russian Federation Traffic Code. Russian. DOC. www.gibdd.ru. 2013-07-15.

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