British drivers are being warned of fines when driving in Europe this year with thousands set to flood the continent for major sporting events.
Over the summer, millions of people from around the world will be flocking to Europe for the European Championships in Germany and the Summer Olympics taking place in Paris, France.
UK football fans have been given an allocation of around 10,000 tickets for the Euros, with thousands more expected to travel to soak in the atmosphere and support their home nations.
All fixtures are taking place in major cities across Germany, with experts warning road users that they could be caught out by different driving laws when travelling between games.
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Drivers could face fines when travelling in Germany this summer
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When driving in Germany, British motorists must ensure they have the required paperwork to keep them on the roads for the duration of their stay.
This includes a valid GB or Northern Ireland driving licence, a UK passport, a vehicle registration certificate, a motor insurance certificate and the relevant travel insurance documents.
Car insurance is mandatory in Germany and while Britons will not require an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in the country, they may need it in other countries along their travels.
The DVLA recently announced a major update to their IDP services, with drivers needing to visit PayPoint locations to pick up their IDP from April 1, rather than Post Office locations under current circumstances.
Drivers travelling to Germany will be aware of the infamous Autobahn motorway network and the seemingly unlimited speed limits attributed to it.
While it’s true that many sections of the Autobahn have unrestricted speeds, there are some areas where drivers could be slapped with fines for exceeding limits.
The German government recommends a top speed of 80mph – or 130km/h – with the RAC estimating that around 30 per cent of the road network has a permanent or variable speed limit.
On a six-lane road, the maximum speed is 110km/h (68mph), the middle lane is 90km/h (56mph) and the slow lane has a top speed of 60km/h (37mph).
When driving over the speed limit by as little as one kilometre per hour, drivers could be hit with a €20 (£17) fine in a non-urban area or €30 (£25) fine in an urban area.
Naturally, the value of fines and the risk of penalty points on their licence will change depending on the speed over the limit and where they are driving.
A spokesperson for Jardine Motors urged drivers to make sure their vehicle is fuelled before travelling long distances or they could face punishments.
They added: “Germany is famous for its on-the-spot fines for most driving offences, and this includes running out of fuel.”
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UK motorists could face fines for driving on all roads
GETTYService stations can be found frequently along the Autobahn, drivers are urged to ensure they do not run out of fuel, especially during rush hours.
Motorists can be hit with fines for running on empty as it is seen as something that can be avoided and is the direct responsibility of the owner of the car.
