Children
in cars: children under four cannot travel
unless they use a suitable restraint system. Children
between four and 12 cannot travel in the front
unless using a suitable restraint system.
Documentation: always
carry your driving licence, vehicle registration
document (V5), and certificate of motor insurance.
If your licence does not incorporate a photograph
ensure you carry your passport to validate the
licence. If the vehicle is not registered in your
name, carry a letter from the registered owner
giving you permission to drive.
Drinking
and driving: Don't do it. Over 0.05 per cent
and you could face anything up to imprisonment.
Fines: On the spot fines are issued. Ensure
an official receipt is issued by the officer collecting
the fine.
First-aid kit is advised, but not compulsory.
Fuel:
All grades of unleaded petrol (benzina), diesel
(gasolio) and LPG are available as well as lead
substitute additive. Leaded no longer exists.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, although
they probably won't work at automatic pumps, which
are often the only pumps open out-of-hours and
at lunch-time (from noon to 3pm) away from the
Autostrada. It's a good idea to let your card
issuer know you will be travelling abroad. This
ensures they don't suspend your card if they spot
it being used in unfamiliar places, which they
sometimes do as an anti-fraud measure.
Headlamp converters
are compulsory.
Horns are widely used
to warn other vehicles of your approach, although
they are officially banned in built-up areas.
Lights:
dipped headlights must be used in poor daytime
visibility, and in all tunnels at all times. They
must also be used when on motorways, dual carriageways,
and on all out of town roads. Motorcycles must
use dipped headlights during the day at all times.
Minimum
age for driving, provided you hold a full
licence, is 18 for a car and for a motorcycle
over 125cc. If you've got an old-style all-green
licence you might find the police will not understand
them, so either get them up-dated or take an International
Driving Permit as well.
Motorcycle drivers and passengers must
wear crash helmets.
Motor insurance: third-party insurance
is compulsory. A green card is not required but
your insurer should be advised of your trip.
Seat
belts are compulsory for front and rear seat
occupants, if fitted.
Visibility Vests are now compulsory in Italy,
Austria, Belgium, Norway and Spain (and likely
to become compulsory throughout the EU). The
rules vary from country to country concerning
number of vests required and whether they should
be carried in the car or boot. Common sense suggests
that there should be a vest for every occupant,
and that the vests should be carried in the car.
Do this and you will not have a problem.
Warning
triangle is compulsory.
