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Driving in Europe
Page 2
Continued from page 1
ABOVE: The economical Peugeot 207 on a
European highway.
Residents of countries outside the U.S. can save money with
short-term tourist leases from Peugeot
and Renault.
Tips on renting a car
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Lease for longer trips. A short-term
lease can save money on rentals of 21 days or more. Such leases are
especially useful for students and senior citizens, since age restrictions
are minimal. For details
and companies that offer leasing programs, see page 5.
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Think small. Fuel is expensive in
Europe, streets are narrow in many cities, and small cars are easier to park
than large ones. Unless you need a large car or van, stick with a small to
midsize car.
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Shift for yourself. Cars with
automatic transmissions can be hard to find and expensive to rent in many
countries. They also use more fuel. (Exception: If you're uncomfortable with
the idea of shifting gears with your left hand, a car with automatic
transmission may be worth the extra cost in Britain and Ireland.)
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Important note: If you're picking up a
car outside the European Union (e.g., in Switzerland), you may encounter
bureaucratic hassles if you later decide to drop the car off in an EU
country. To avoid potential problems, ask for a car that's regisftered in
the EU if you plan to drive there.
Tips on driving in Europe
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Prepare at home. European regulations, driving
customs, and road signs can be confusing to foreigners, so use the
information resources on page 3
and page 4 to learn
the basics ahead of time.
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Be alert. If you're from North
America, forget about turning on the cruise control and floating along in
the left lane while listening to Santana and slurping coffee from your
MegaMug. You could have a panic attack when a BMW comes tearing up behind
you, left flasher blinking, at 250 km/h (156 mph) or faster. And if you've
never had to enter or exit a traffic circle (a.k.a. rotary or roundabout) in
heavy traffic, get ready for a new experience--especially if local laws give
priority to traffic coming from the right.
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Carry an International Driving Permit. This
passport-like document (sometimes called an International Driver's License)
is a translation of your home license. It's required in some countries and
optional in others, but it's well worth having to avoid problems if you're
stopped by the police in a foreign country. See my
International Driving
Permit article.
Next page:
General driving links
Last updated January 29, 2008
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