What Americans Need To Know About Driving in Europe: Part 2 

Remember that in Germany, Austria and Switzerland and some other European countries it is the law to create a rescue lane when there's a jam or very slow moving traffic. The rescue lane is not the shoulder but between the left most lane which has to drive as far left as possible and going over the line is ok and the all the other lanes right from that go further right so there's a lane in between. Background. Older highways may not have a shoulder at all like the A8 between Rosenheim and Salzburg or an emergency lane that is too narrow for large emergency vehicles.

When referring to diesel exhaut fluid, this is known as Adblue. In reference to the previous video and the comments on diesel having other names like gazole, also be aware that the pump triggers may not be the same colour as you may be used to in America. Petrol pumps are (usually) green and diesel may be black or yellow. Take great care to use the correct fuel Generally the lower price petrol will be fine in a European car. The borders of Switx]zerland are now no different to any other crossing, you do not have to stop. Be aware that traffic lights at roadworks may not display green, the may display flashing yellow, meaning proceed with caution. Flashing yellows may be used in other places, for instance on part time traffic lights.

I would like to correct you regarding the vehicle's safety/technical equipment. (not only in Europe) The Convention on Road Traffic, commonly known as the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic (November 8, 1968), states that: “The vehicle must meet all technical requirements to be allowed on the road in the country of registration. Any conflicting technical requirements (e.g. driving on the right or left) in the signatory country in which the vehicle is driven shall not apply.” In other words - you are only required to have the safety/technical equipment required in the country of registration of the vehicle. The police have no right to require you to provide national/local equipment. Countries that have ratified the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic: - all European countries except Great Britain, Spain, Ireland and Kosovo, - Asian countries: Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Pakistan, Vietnam, Philippines, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Israel, - African countries: Morocco, Tunisia, Niger, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Central African Republic, Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, South Africa, - South American countries: Brazil, Uruguay, Peru, Guyana, French Guiana, - Central American countries: Cuba, Bahamas, Montserrat, Martinique. There are also countries that have not signed the convention, but adhere to it, e.g. Spain or Great Britain. P.S. This is a little-known law, but worth remembering. It makes life easier and can save you from a lot of trouble. I once used it to save a German driver from getting a ticket. He did not have a fire extinguisher required in Poland. On the other hand, if supplementing the equipment is not expensive or troublesome, it is worth doing it to avoid unnecessary discussions (or a visit to court if the policeman is malicious, stubborn and/or resistant to arguments). P.S. 2 If you want to defend yourself with this right, do not accept the ticket. Accepting a ticket means admitting guilt and it is difficult to undo it later. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna_Convention_on_Road_Traffic

And consider a smaller car, since some streets are not well suited for big ones, e.g. in old towsns or mountain regions -- and need less fuel/cost less.

Some rental car companies don't allow you to take the car to another country. Even if it is within the Schengen zone and there are no border checks, you still might drive without valid insurance. Btw Switzerland is in Schengen, in Western Europe, only Andorra and the British Isles are not. So, this remark is more relevant when traveling in the Balkans.

My advice is to be VERY careful about having full insurance cover on a hire car. Usually it is legally required to have cover for injury or damage to third parties, but if you have a scrape or an accident, you could be liable for thousands in damage to the hire car. So get some form of comprehensive insurance. I agree that hire companies sell such insurance at a high cost, but cheaper options, while saving money, may be problematic if it comes time to make a claim. Like needing very precise and difficult to get documentation on the repair costs from the hirer. So you need to weigh up, "do I need that possible hassle?" or just spend the extra for peace of mind. Oh, and I agree to check and document very carefully the condition of the car when you receive it. If possible, take 5 minutes with the rental agent present to look very closely at bodywork, tyres, windows and the interior upholstery etc (also equipment like spare tyres and tools). If you discover anything untoward, take a photo or video and make sure the agent writes down the observation. This may save you from expense and hassle at the end of your hire period.

In danish traffic law you do not have a right of way but an obligation to yield. BIG difference!

If you have no American Express option you have Allianz as an option to get an insurance. Most European car rental companies anyway get their insurances organized by Allianz. You can contact them directly, tell them what car you are going to rent, what period, etc, and that you want zero franchice. That's way cheaper than by the car rental company.

In France motorcyclists are actually not allowed to pass ombetseen lanes except in some really urban departments, like Paris, Rhone (Lyon), Gironde (Bordeaux), Bouches du Rhone (Marseille) and this is quite recent. They are currently testing the impact this can have on traffic and safety. But motorcyclists have been doing this far before it was allowed.

I don't know if US driver licences specify if the driver trained in automatic transmission or manual transmission but in the EU (at least in the Netherlands) you are legally not allowed to drive manual if your got your license in an automatic. A new driving exam in a manual is needed to get a driver's license that allows you to drive a manual. As you said, if someone drives an automatic in the USA and has no relevant experience in a manual.. please don't rent a manual - you'll be a danger to yourself and others.

If you are driving on a single vehicle wide road, ( "Single Track Road" : A road where on coming vehicles use the same roadway), please pull in to a passing place if you see a car coming towards you as they may have passed a passing place someway back and otherwise one of you will need to backup, possibly some distance. Also pull in to a passing place to let a faster car overtake you, as locals often drive faster as they know the road.

- Don't drink and drive - Don't drive and be on your phone I'm honestly shocked, it is that common for US citizen to do both, that you had to mention it?

Awesome video! I’m going to Germany next summer and I’m kinda scared to drive there. Thanks for the tips!

4:06 Correction: Switzerland is in the Schengen zone - and has been there for decades. So there are no border checks in/around Switzerland either. In general, Schengen area participation and EU membership are separate things. Switzerland and Norway are in the Schengen area, but not in the EU. The UK, by contrast, used to be an EU member, but never joined the Schengen area throughout its long EU membership.

as for the first thing: i don't get it. why not just use google maps on ur phone? u can download places you want to be stored locally and also get a vent mount

I always pack my Iridium sat phone as a backup to my cell phone. I graph my trip to add my cell service coverage. Buy a pre paid Credit Card and make sure you have a pin #💳 and add money as you need to avoid the need for using our American CC because sometimes they ask for a pin. Also you should always have a paper 📄 map 🗺️ as a backup. Just my 2c. Great video and thank you for your efforts.

you are not allowed to drive a manuel car if you dont hawe a driwig licence to manuel

Switzerland is schengen now(not EU), sow border contol is only occasionally. cellphone use in the Netherlands wile driving cost you over €400,- and in Belguim you can loos your license.

Safely assume: as far as DUI the entire Central and Eastern Europe is "Zero Tolerance" and things indeed can become brutal. I am very often in that area and my suggestion is: don't even try. The rumors are that the police in Norway is even worse. Otherwise fine clip, all the advices are 100%.