Originally posted on my website: Sept 2014
I know a heap of people who have visited Europe before I had the chance, but I don't know anyone who has actually lived here and therefore forced to learn the ins and outs of it all.
I finally had the chance to take my German license test and PASSED (this post is late. I passed the test in October)! And while doing so, I learned a thing or two...
I learned a few things about international travel on my test day. I also have the luxury of living next door to a MP (Military Policedude), who has been helpful. Driving isn't hard to do, but be prepared for different laws, rules, regulations when you travel from country to country. Just because it's within the Schengen area, doesn't mean they all have the same rules. I'll explain a few below....
BUT FIRST, I want to touch on insurance. This is probably thee most important thing of them all.
If you are renting a vehicle, you MUST be honest with the agent. If your personal policy doesn't cover a rental, say so. If you don't have a personal policy, say so.
If you plan to take a rental car out of the country it's from, tell them so.
Some places have high vehicle theft issues. For instance, we rented a car here in Germany for quite awhile before our own arrived, and our insurance policy DOES cover a rental, BUT the car was NOT within rental contract to go into the Czech Republic. Now some people don't give a shit about rules, however, if we hypothetically went to Czech Republic and thought "They'll never know that we took the car to Prague, let's go!" and the car was stolen, vandalized, etc, while there, OUR personal insurance would't cover a penny because we weren't authorized to be there through the rental agent. The rental company would hold us liable. It'd be out of pocket. Period. Yeah, no thanks.
The agent did say some of their vehicles are permitted to leave the country, some are not. Just depends on the vehicle class. In other words, the nicer the ride, the more likely is is prohibited to leave the border. It also depends on where your out-of-country destination is.
Another huge piece of advice regarding renting a car anywhere in Europe: Learn how to drive stick. Automatic vehicle rental options are scarce, and more expensive if you can find one.
Rental rules are one thing, road rules are another...
In Germany, the rental vehicle MUST have a warning/safety triangle, a first aid kit (with a valid expiration date), and a orange safety vest for every passenger. These items must sit in the passenger area of the car. If you happen to be pulled over without these, it could result in a immediate fine to be paid out in Euro, right then and there.
Don't have Euro in your wallet?
The German Polizei are very courteous, and happy to escort you to a nearby ATM. If you refuse to pay any fine upfront (speeding, parking, etc,) they may arrest you, but you can count on them taking you to court.
NOTE: In most cases, not paying the fine when asked results in a automatic 'guilty' charge later in court.
Not to worry, most rental car companies have their vehicles equip with these items, but it is YOUR responsibility to make sure before driving off.
In France, you are required to have the warning/safety triangle, at least one safety reflective vest, a self-administered breathalyzer test (bearing a NF number, which means it's French approved. As of this year, you are not necessarily required to carry one by law, but it is recommended), and you'll need snow chains, depending on weather conditions. The vehicle MUST be equip with M/S or winter tires if driving on ice, or in snow.Be prepared for tolls. The French government loves them! Some of the tolls in Paris can cost about 80€, one way, depending on which direction you come from by car. Yeah.
Another thing to pay attention to is parking situations. Different signs mean different things:
There are a ton of other signs, but if you are visiting Germany by way of car, I'll leave the research up to you. A parking tip though...some garages make you pay as you leave, others require that you visit a garage kiosk, on foot, (usually found near an entrance) to pay the parking bill BEFORE you get in your car. We already made that mistake once. Kind of embarrassing to have to back up in your car at the exit (which have those gate arms) because you didn't know that this particular parking garage required you to pay before you even got into your ride. Oops. Live and learn.
I also know that in certain cities all over Europe, only residents are permitted to park within the city, or the central parts of the city. Always be aware of signage. Just because you find an open spot doesn't mean that it is yours for the taking.
An IMPORTANT thing to always note when it comes to garage parking:
If you are driving a huge American SUV or any sort of taller vehicle (American make or not), you will not make every parking garage height clearance. KNOW the height of your vehicle in meters, not feet.
I cannot give full lessons on driving in Europe but I can say that everyone who plans to drive here short term should not assume it's as simple as following a speed-limit sign. It's not.
For example, in Germany, you are not permitted to make right turns on red, unless there's a sign stating otherwise. The exact opposite of the US.
It also helps to learn the translation of road language. Ausfahrt means exit, not passing gas. "Rollsplitt" doesn't mean that your car will roll over if you turn too fast, it means "loose gravel".
And watch out for those pesky trollies and trams that you share the road with all over Europe. They are a whole different set of rules!
I know a heap of people who have visited Europe before I had the chance, but I don't know anyone who has actually lived here and therefore forced to learn the ins and outs of it all.
I finally had the chance to take my German license test and PASSED (this post is late. I passed the test in October)! And while doing so, I learned a thing or two...
I learned a few things about international travel on my test day. I also have the luxury of living next door to a MP (Military Policedude), who has been helpful. Driving isn't hard to do, but be prepared for different laws, rules, regulations when you travel from country to country. Just because it's within the Schengen area, doesn't mean they all have the same rules. I'll explain a few below....
BUT FIRST, I want to touch on insurance. This is probably thee most important thing of them all.
If you are renting a vehicle, you MUST be honest with the agent. If your personal policy doesn't cover a rental, say so. If you don't have a personal policy, say so.
If you plan to take a rental car out of the country it's from, tell them so.
Some places have high vehicle theft issues. For instance, we rented a car here in Germany for quite awhile before our own arrived, and our insurance policy DOES cover a rental, BUT the car was NOT within rental contract to go into the Czech Republic. Now some people don't give a shit about rules, however, if we hypothetically went to Czech Republic and thought "They'll never know that we took the car to Prague, let's go!" and the car was stolen, vandalized, etc, while there, OUR personal insurance would't cover a penny because we weren't authorized to be there through the rental agent. The rental company would hold us liable. It'd be out of pocket. Period. Yeah, no thanks.
The agent did say some of their vehicles are permitted to leave the country, some are not. Just depends on the vehicle class. In other words, the nicer the ride, the more likely is is prohibited to leave the border. It also depends on where your out-of-country destination is.
Another huge piece of advice regarding renting a car anywhere in Europe: Learn how to drive stick. Automatic vehicle rental options are scarce, and more expensive if you can find one.
Rental rules are one thing, road rules are another...
In Germany, the rental vehicle MUST have a warning/safety triangle, a first aid kit (with a valid expiration date), and a orange safety vest for every passenger. These items must sit in the passenger area of the car. If you happen to be pulled over without these, it could result in a immediate fine to be paid out in Euro, right then and there.
Don't have Euro in your wallet?
The German Polizei are very courteous, and happy to escort you to a nearby ATM. If you refuse to pay any fine upfront (speeding, parking, etc,) they may arrest you, but you can count on them taking you to court.
NOTE: In most cases, not paying the fine when asked results in a automatic 'guilty' charge later in court.
Not to worry, most rental car companies have their vehicles equip with these items, but it is YOUR responsibility to make sure before driving off.
In France, you are required to have the warning/safety triangle, at least one safety reflective vest, a self-administered breathalyzer test (bearing a NF number, which means it's French approved. As of this year, you are not necessarily required to carry one by law, but it is recommended), and you'll need snow chains, depending on weather conditions. The vehicle MUST be equip with M/S or winter tires if driving on ice, or in snow.Be prepared for tolls. The French government loves them! Some of the tolls in Paris can cost about 80€, one way, depending on which direction you come from by car. Yeah.
Another thing to pay attention to is parking situations. Different signs mean different things:
There are a ton of other signs, but if you are visiting Germany by way of car, I'll leave the research up to you. A parking tip though...some garages make you pay as you leave, others require that you visit a garage kiosk, on foot, (usually found near an entrance) to pay the parking bill BEFORE you get in your car. We already made that mistake once. Kind of embarrassing to have to back up in your car at the exit (which have those gate arms) because you didn't know that this particular parking garage required you to pay before you even got into your ride. Oops. Live and learn.
I also know that in certain cities all over Europe, only residents are permitted to park within the city, or the central parts of the city. Always be aware of signage. Just because you find an open spot doesn't mean that it is yours for the taking.
An IMPORTANT thing to always note when it comes to garage parking:
If you are driving a huge American SUV or any sort of taller vehicle (American make or not), you will not make every parking garage height clearance. KNOW the height of your vehicle in meters, not feet.
I cannot give full lessons on driving in Europe but I can say that everyone who plans to drive here short term should not assume it's as simple as following a speed-limit sign. It's not.
For example, in Germany, you are not permitted to make right turns on red, unless there's a sign stating otherwise. The exact opposite of the US.
It also helps to learn the translation of road language. Ausfahrt means exit, not passing gas. "Rollsplitt" doesn't mean that your car will roll over if you turn too fast, it means "loose gravel".
And watch out for those pesky trollies and trams that you share the road with all over Europe. They are a whole different set of rules!
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