27 June 2018

Avoid a speeding ticket with your hire car - Know your limits!

There are some unusual road rules around the world - including new weather-dependent speed limits in Madeira

We recently discovered through the Madeira Island Newsblog about new speed limits which are being introduced on the island. When they are implemented, drivers will be able to drive 10kmh faster in dry weather in the signposted areas. It leaves a lot open to interpretation!

However odd the law may seem, it is important that you know the driving rules of any country where you are hiring a car. And remember even when you are hiring a car you can still receive fines or penalties for driving offences. These will be passed on by your hire car company, who may add an admin fee on top of the fine.

And it is not just driving. We have had customers who have fallen foul of parking regulations. It is worth checking the parking restrictions, particularly if you are hoping to visit a large city. Street parking in some cities is limited. For example, in Milan, visitors can only park in bays marked with a blue line. In Madrid, it is blue dotted lines with a parking meter. Paris is divided into parking zones.

Some cities require you to obtain a permit to drive through certain areas. Rome is one example. You cannot drive through the historic area without consent. Several cities have congestion charges including London, Milan and Stockholm.

Tourist information websites are a great way of finding the information you need. The Milan Tourist Information website, for example, has all you need to know about parking and the congestion charge in the city.

Image courtesy of: Pixabay