Driving abroad, do you know the rules?

• Increased numbers of holiday makers drive abroad this summer
• Many drivers not aware of country-specific driving regulations
• Škoda and RAC offer free European Travel Advice Guide to help keep holidaymakers safe

With this year’s flight and short-haul holiday disruptions, more people than ever are choosing to drive abroad this summer. The simplicity of the Channel Tunnel and fast ferry crossings means driving to Europe is easier than ever before, yet knowing the ever-changing foreign traffic laws and driving regulations can often be the major obstacle to an otherwise perfect holiday.

To help holiday makers, Škoda and the RAC have collaborated on an easy-to-read European driving guide aimed at clarifying the dos and don’ts of driving abroad – available free of charge at all local Škoda retailers.

For example, in France, Italy and Belgium the drink driving limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (less than the UK limit of 80mg per 100ml) and in Norway it is just 20mg. In Belarus, it is illegal to drive a dirty car and in Bulgaria it’s illegal to sound a car horn during lunch-time hours of 12pm - 4pm. When driving in Germany, it’s illegal to use a GPS navigation system that indicates the location of fixed speed cameras, and in Spain it’s compulsory for drivers to keep a reflective jacket within reach inside the car at all times.

All this information and more is available in the European Travel Advice Guide, so anyone planning to drive to the continent this summer should stop at their local dealership and pick up a copy.

As well as detailing driving regulations and mandatory equipment, it also lists any recommended items required to drive safely in more than 40 European countries.

John Bower, head of aftersales at Škoda UK comments: "Driving abroad should be an enjoyable experience and our aim is to provide travel information to our customers so that they have one less thing to worry about. We urge anyone driving abroad this summer to contact their local Škoda retailer and ask about the relevant regulations."