RULES AND REGULATIONS

As usually law-abiding citizens, the one time that most of us are likely to fall foul of the law is on the road. Few drivers go through their motoring career without picking up the occasional parking ticket or speeding fine.

In most cases this is because drivers deliberately choose to break regulations, whether by driving at 85mph on the motorway or parking on a double yellow line to pop into the newsagents.

No-one wants their holiday spoiled by a run-in with the law, so it goes without saying that you should be on your best driving behaviour overseas. But there's the added problem that however carefully you drive, you might be caught out if you are unfamiliar with foreign laws. Ignorance of the law is no defence - although if you are lucky it may earn you a more sympathetic hearing from a local traffic cop.

The following content will give you an overview of the motoring regulations you're likely to encounter overseas, but for specific information, advice on laws in individual locations you should also consult the relevant county guide.