Unusual Driving Laws Around The World

Every country in the world has its own way of behaving – one thing that’s completely normal in your country might be unheard of in another. While most of these differences are minor and won’t usually get you in trouble, not understanding the different laws around the world can sometimes drop you in hot water if you’re not careful. Traffic rules are a common example of this, with most being slightly different in every country.

When hiring a vehicle and setting off in a new country, it’s essential that you’re up to date with the driving laws you’re about to be liable for. Some will make you give way to every animal you see while others will dictate what clothes you’re allowed to wear. Today we’re looking at nine of the strangest driving laws around the world, so buckle up!

Unusual driving laws around the world

1. No topless driving in Thailand
2. Don’t slam car doors in Switzerland
3. Give way to camels in Nevada
4. Never run out of fuel on the Autobahn in Germany
5. Don’t eat or drink when driving in Cyprus
6. No loud music or singing when driving in the UK
7. Don’t drive wearing shoes without socks in Spain
8. Don’t leave your car unlocked in parts of Australia
9. Never splash pedestrians when driving in Japan

Before we get in the driving seat and take you on a spin around what these unusual driving laws truly mean, you need a dependable vehicle that can help you make the most of your travels. Whether you’re taking a car or hiring a campervan, these rules will apply to you.

Once you’re acquainted with the strange rules we’re about to look at, contact the team at Travellers Autobarn today to learn how we can help get you started on your road to adventure.

No topless driving in Thailand

While you might be able to drive naked in Germany because the country considers a car your ‘private space’, the rules could not be more different from Thailand. During warm weather, it’s not uncommon for some people to drive with their tops off, but again, Thailand isn’t the place for this kind of behaviour. If you’re caught driving with your top off, you might be breaking the law and be liable to a hefty fine or other form of prosecution.

Not one to discriminate, Thailand’s law states that this offence can be carried out by both men and women, and it doesn’t matter what vehicle they’re driving. So, whether you’re in a campervan, car, or tuk-tuk, keep your shirt on.

Don’t slam car doors in Switzerland

Slamming a car door is often a relatively harmless act which can often be dismissed as an accident. While it might startle those around you for a second, it’s generally not considered an act of aggression or violence – so why does Switzerland have a law specifically stating that you’re not allowed to slam car doors?

Well, the rule is that you’re not allowed to slam them after 10 pm at night, which is designed to maintain peace and quiet for residents so you don’t risk waking them up or disturbing their nighttime routines. Slamming doors can be quite difficult to police, but it’s worth noting that if you’re caught, a fine might be on its way to you from Swiss officials.

Give way to camels in Nevada

In Nevada, USA, camels are an important status symbol that must be respected at all times. This extends to the rules of the road, stating that if you see a camel crossing in front of you, you need to give way to it and wait until it’s safely crossed before driving again.

This is certainly one of the more obscure rules we’ve heard of – especially considering how we don’t usually associate Nevada with its camel inhabitants – but nevertheless, this law still stands today. So, if you happen to see a wild camel on your travels through Nevada, make sure you stop and give way to avoid prosecution.

Never run out of fuel on the Autobahn in Germany

As a driver, one of the worst things that can happen is running out of fuel without a petrol station in sight. We’ve all done it, but that doesn’t make our poor planning any less embarrassing. However, it’s generally not considered a crime to run out of fuel – unless you’re in Germany and driving along the Autobahn. The rule makes it very clear that it’s illegal to stop unnecessarily on the Autobahn, and unfortunately, running out of fuel is considered an unnecessary stop.

German rules specify that it’s your responsibility, as the driver, to plan ahead properly so that you have enough fuel to get along the Autobahn without stopping. So, if you get a fine for this and are hoping to appeal it, we wouldn’t put too much hope on your chances. Make sure you fuel up before any journey in an unknown country!

Don’t eat or drink when driving in Cyprus

While driving long distances, it’s not uncommon for you to get thirsty or peckish – there are cup holders in cars for a reason! But don’t think about reaching for that bottle of water when driving through Cyprus, because you’re not allowed to drink anything while driving. The law states that you should always have two hands on the steering wheel while driving, and a fine for being caught is €150. For a second-time offence, the fine will be increased to €300.

You’ll need to pull over and take a short break to replenish your electrolytes if you feel yourself getting dehydrated, so make sure you take this into consideration when planning your trip’s timeline.

No loud music or singing when driving in the UK

One of the best things about long road trips is planning your playlist and getting your phone connected to the AUX cord, but turning the volume up too loudly in the UK could end the party early with a fine of £100 and 3 penalty points on your license. This is detailed on the Highway Code as an attempt to minimise distractions while driving, keeping you and others around you safer – so it’s for a good reason.

Don’t worry about having to drive in complete silence, though. The UK allows music and radio to be played at a reasonable level, and fines are only issued when officials deem the music or singing level to be ‘excessive’. As long as you’re not hosting a karaoke party in your camper, you should be fine.

Don’t drive wearing shoes without socks in Spain

Spain’s General Directorate of Traffic (GDT) makes it clear that it’s incredibly important to wear the appropriate footwear while driving. While this isn’t an explicit law that prohibits you from wearing shoes without socks while driving, the guidance is heavily enforced and can lead to a fine being issued for ‘unsafe driving’ if you’re caught. Shoes without socks include flip flops, barefoot, or even trainers without socks – so to be on the safe side, pack enough pairs to get you through your journey.

You might be thinking, ‘How would anyone know if I were wearing socks or not?’ – and that’s a fair question to ask. Spanish officials don’t have X-ray vision, and it’s very unlikely that they’d stop you just to ask what footwear you have on. However, if you’re pulled over for something else and they spot your unsafe sock situation, they could issue a fine of up to €200.

Don’t leave your car unlocked in parts of Australia

It’s not usually a wise idea to leave your car unlocked anywhere in the world unless you’re going to be staying with it, but Australia has taken this one step further and written a law that dictates you must never leave your car unlocked if you step away from it. The Australian Road Rules state that once you’re more than three metres away from your vehicle, the engine must be off, the ignition key removed, and all doors and windows closed and securely locked.

This rule prevents theft and improves vehicle security, so it’s in your best interest to follow it. However, it can be easy to forget when you’re stepping out of your vehicle for a second that you need to lock it—but to avoid fines, try to take these necessary precautions every time you shut the engine off!

Never splash pedestrians when driving in Japan

We’ve all seen the puddles that form on the sides of roads when it’s raining cats and dogs outside, and sometimes they’re too big to avoid. If there happens to be a pedestrian walking by at the exact same time as you’re driving, some water might end up splashing over their shoes. However, this type of behaviour simply isn’t acceptable in Japan – under the Road Traffic Act, you can face a fine of up to 7,000 yen if caught!

It’s definitely better to drive slowly in the rain than risk such a heavy fine, so make sure you add some extra time to your journey and consider what vehicle you’re driving to prevent a careless mistake costing you a lot of money.

Final thoughts

There you have it – nine of the most unusual driving laws that you might come into contact with when travelling all over the world. Some make more sense than others, such as not splashing people or slamming doors after 10 pm at night, but they’re all laws for a reason – so stick to them unless you want to deal with a penalty against you in another country.

Hiring a campervan is an amazing way to see as much of the world (and explore its weird and wonderful driving laws) as possible. At Travellers Autobarn, our team of experts is on standby to help you find the best motor vehicle that perfectly fits your agenda and travelling goals. All of our campervans are fit for driving anywhere and everywhere, so let us give you one less thing to worry about when getting ready to start your adventure!