Driving - rules & information

It is the Contract Holders' responsibility to ensure they are aware of the driving requirements through each European country.
Click here for the best website we can find, in English, that details what you need to be aware of, country by country.

Note: we cannot take any responsibility if any information on this website is out of date or inaccurate. Plus, it is written for UK drivers taking their cars to the Continent, so some information will not be relevant to our French registered vehicles.


Here are some other topics you should research, and where to start:
 

Toll roads & Vignettes

You can Google “toll roads in Europe” and “vignettes in Europe” to be sure you know which countries have ‘pay as you go’ toll roads, and which require the purchase of a ‘vignette’ (sticker) prior to driving on their motorways. The following website has extra information about how to pay each European country's tolls: https://www.tolls.eu/europe
However, we recommend you choose the Wikipedia website entries for the most thorough, up to date and trustworthy information.

 

Breathalyser kits in France

French law requires that a breathalyser kit be carried in your vehicle and replaced if/when used. These kits can be purchased for €2-3 from most fuel stations. Note: you will not receive a fine if you do not have a breathalyser kit in your vehicle.

Air Pollution stickers in France

You can apply for a Crit’Air certificate (sticker) at a cost of about EUR4 only after you have collected your vehicle.
Visit this website: https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/en/demande/cgu

As the sticker can only be posted to your home address, you should print the receipt you receive via email and refer towards the bottom of the page. There is a section with a QR code and CRIT’Air logo + licence plate number. You should cut and tape this section onto the inside right-hand side of your windscreen, facing out.
While we are informed there is a EUR68 fine if you fail to have this sticker, it seems there has been a lot of flexibility to date.
The cities that require this sticker are listed on the above website (currently Paris, Grenoble, Lille, Strasbourg, Lyon, Toulouse).

Green Badge in Germany

Customers wishing to drive in Germany must purchase a Green Badge prior to entering selected cities and towns (known as 'environmental zones'). Click here for more information.
We are unable to obtain a copy of your registration certificate in enough time for you to order a Green Badge on-line, therefore we recommend you arrange this when you first enter a town/city that requires the badge - usually from a new car dealership at a cost of approx EUR8.

Driving in Portugal?

Portuguese Customs require all customers driving a tax-free car into Portugal (if collected outside Portugal) to be able to prove that they are not spending more than 90 days in Portugal. This means that you must obtain a GUIA DE CIRCULACAO document on border entry or at a customs office at a major airport or city within Portugal. Our understanding is that this document will cost approx €5. The fine for not obtaining this document, if you happen to be stopped, is unknown at this stage.

Electronic toll roads in Portugal

Portugal now has a number of "electronic" toll roads, where you must prepay to be on them or risk being fined many hundreds of Euros.
Click here for more information.

WINTER DRIVING (Oct-Apr)

PLEASE NOTE - We have been advised that special tyres are mandatory on Italian roads north of Arezzo during the winter months.

All our vehicles are fitted with standard tyres.
We are no longer able to offer cars with Winter Tyres, which are a requirement in some countries such as Germany & Austria, over winter months & in 'wintry' conditions. Please ensure you are aware of these laws before you plan your route: http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/snow-chains-winter-tyres.html

Note: you may also need to purchase chains (in Europe – at your own cost, from a Citroen garage or supermarket in or near countries where chains are used regularly), for additional traction when the road conditions are particularly severe.

We can offer snow chains with your lease vehicle upon request, at an additional cost.

Please note that if you decide to purchase winter tyres locally, you will need to re-fit the original tyres back on to your car before dropping it off it at the end of your lease.

 

International Drivers Permit (IDP)

An International Drivers Permit is required if driving in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, outside the EU and where English is not commonly spoken . However, we recommend this for all customers.
It will cost about $40 from the AA. Click here to be taken to their site.