Driving Questions & Answers
Quick answers to common driving questions — winter tyres, speed limits, licenses, and fines for countries worldwide.
130 km/h on Albanian Motorways in 2026, 40 Through Towns
Cars may do 130 km/h on Albanian motorways, 90 on main roads, 80 on local roads and 40 in town. Just 10 km/h over costs ALL 1,000-3,000 at the roadside.
Albania Winter Tyres 2026: Snow Triggers It, No Dates
Albania runs no winter-tyre calendar. The requirement follows snow and ice, which means the northern mountains rather than the SH8 coast road.
Americans Driving in Iceland 2026: 12 Months, No IDP Needed
Iceland's licence regulation lets a US licence printed in Latin letters be used for up to 12 months with no IDP. Residents must re-test after six months.
Argentina Speeds 2026: 130 on Autopistas, 40 on Streets
Argentine law sets 130 km/h on autopistas, 120 on semiautopistas, 110 on rural roads, 60 on avenues and 40 on ordinary streets. Lorries are held to 80.
Argentina Winter Tyres 2026: Chains, Andes, June-Sept
Argentina writes no national winter tyre mandate. Its winter falls June to September, and the Andean passes ask for chains rather than special tyres.
Australia 2026: 100 km/h Default, 130 on Four NT Highways
Australia's default limits are 50 km/h in built-up areas and 100 elsewhere; the NT uses 110 and posts 130 on four highways. Fines are set state by state.
Australia Speeding Fines 2026: Set by State, Not Federal
There is no national Australian speeding fine. Each state writes its own amounts, from roughly A$120 for a minor excess to A$3,700 and a suspension.
Austria Motorway Limit 2026: 130 km/h, No Legal Speed Margin
Austria's motorways run at 130 km/h with no legal margin above it: StVO §99 fines any excess, from up to €726 to €7,500, and a vignette is needed to join.
Austria Speeding Fines 2026: €726 Cap, Then €200 to €7,500
Austrian law sets no tolerance: under 30 km/h over costs up to €726, above that €200-5,000, and 60/70 km/h over €500-7,500 plus possible vehicle seizure.
Austria Winter Tyres 2026: 1 Nov–15 Apr, Only When It Snows
Austria's rule runs 1 November to 15 April but bites only on snow, slush or ice. Winter tyres need 4 mm tread (5 mm cross-ply); fines start at EUR 60.
Belgium Motorway Speed 2026: 120 km/h, Section Control
Belgium holds motorways at 120 km/h and measures you across kilometres, not at a single camera. Rural default: 70 in Flanders, 90 in Wallonia.
Belgium Speeding Fines 2026: EUR 53 Up to a Summons
A minor speeding ticket in Belgium opens at EUR 53 and climbs per extra km/h until roughly 30 over sends the case to court. Foreign plates pay at once.
Belgium Winter Tyres 2026: No Law, Ardennes Ice Anyway
Belgium imposes no winter-tyre rule at any date, yet the Ardennes freeze and both neighbours, Germany and Luxembourg, enforce condition-based obligations.
Bosnia Speed Limits 2026: 130 on the A1, 80 on the M17
The 130 km/h figure covers only the short A1. Most driving is the single-carriageway M17 at 80 km/h, where handheld radar and on-the-spot fines rule.
Bosnia Winter Tyres 2026: 1 Nov to 1 Apr, Three Legal Setups
From 1 November to 1 April Bosnia accepts M+S winter tyres on all wheels, winter drive tyres with chains, or 4 mm summer tyres with chains. No studs.
Brazil Speed Limits 2026: 110 Motorway, 60 Urban, 80 Rural
Brazil runs 110 km/h on motorways, 80 rural and 60 urban, with lorries at 90. The Lei Seca then sets alcohol at zero, enforced by night-time roadblocks.
Brazil Winter Tyres 2026: No Rule, 1.6 mm Tread Is the Law
Brazil sets no winter tyre season, even in the frost-prone south. The national rule is CONTRAN's 1.6 mm minimum tread, checked against the wear indicators.
Bulgaria Motorway Speed Limit 2026: 140 km/h, Paid on Spot
Cars run 140 km/h on Bulgarian motorways, trucks 100. The tolerance, the EUR 25.56 ticket at 10 over, and the point where six points and a ban start.
Bulgaria Winter Tyres 2026: 15 Nov–1 Mar or 4 mm of Tread
From 15 November to 1 March Bulgaria requires tyres made for winter, or any tyres with at least 4 mm of tread. The window applies whatever the weather.
Canada Highway Limits 2026: No National Number, 100-120
There is no Canadian speed limit. Each province sets its own, so the sign changes at the provincial line — and Ontario impounds cars at 40 over.
Canada Winter Tyres 2026: Quebec 1 Dec, BC Highways 1 Oct
Quebec requires winter tyres on its own vehicles 1 December to 15 March; BC signs highways from 1 October, with a $121 fine. Other provinces set no rule.
Colombia 2026: 50 in Town, 90 Rural, 120 Divided Only
Colombia's highway ceiling is 90 km/h; 120 applies only to divided carriageways with no pedestrian crossings. Towns are 50, school and home zones 30.
Colombia Winter Tyres 2026: None Needed, Spare Tyre Is Law
Colombia's traffic code has no winter tyre, chain or stud rule. It asks for tyres in adequate condition and makes a spare, jack and triangles compulsory.
Croatia Speed Limit Tolerance 2026: 10 km/h, Then EUR 30-60
Cameras here typically allow about 10 km/h before they fire, and the A1 to Split is worked hard each summer. Every limit and fine band, checked for 2026.
Croatia Speeding Fines 2026: €30-€2,650 After July Reform
Croatia doubled speeding fines on 1 July 2026 and split them in two: EUR 60 to 1,990 outside a settlement, EUR 30 to 2,650 inside one, plus detention.
Croatia Winter Tyres 2026: 15 Nov-15 Apr, EUR 130 Fine
Croatia's winter equipment season runs 15 November to 15 April on designated winter roads: four M+S tyres, or summer tyres over 4mm plus chains.
Czech D3 Runs at 150 km/h in 2026; Other Dálnice Stay at 130
Czech motorways are 130 km/h, with a 150 km/h variable-sign pilot on 47 km of the D3 until the end of 2026. Fines start at CZK 1,500 on the spot.
Czech Speeding Fines 2026: CZK 1,000 at 10 km/h Over
Czech speeding runs from CZK 1,000 at 10 km/h over to CZK 10,000 and a suspension at 30. Police collect at the roadside and the tolerance is about 3 km/h.
Czechia Winter Tyres 2026: 1 Nov-31 Mar, 4 mm Tread
Czech law demands winter tyres from 1 November to 31 March when snow, ice or frost lies on the road, and the tread floor is 4 mm, not 1.6 mm.
Denmark Speed Limits 2026: 130 km/h, DKK 1,200 Minimum
50, 80 and 130 km/h by road type, and a minimum speeding fine of DKK 1,200 - not 1,000. Where the licence goes, and the surcharge that starts at 140 km/h.
Denmark Winter Tyres 2026: Optional, Studs 1 Nov to 15 Apr
Denmark sets no winter tyre requirement. Studs are legal 1 November to 15 April, on every wheel; Sweden's conditional rule from 1 December is the trap.
Drive in Japan on a UK Licence 2026: 1949 IDP, 12 Months
A UK licence alone is refused in Japan. Get the 1949 Geneva IDP at PayPoint for GBP 5.50 before flying - the 1968 version will not be taken at the desk.
Drive in South Africa on a UK Licence 2026: No IDP by Law
The Act asks for a valid, English, photo licence and a UK photocard passes, for 12 months. Where the IDP is a rental condition rather than a legal one.
Drive in Thailand on a UK Licence 2026: 1968 IDP or a Fine
A UK licence alone is not valid in Thailand. You need the 1968 IDP, GBP 5.50 at a PayPoint shop, covering motorcycles if you rent a scooter.
Driving Australia on a UK Licence 2026: State Clocks Differ
A UK photocard is valid in Australia while you remain a temporary visitor. NSW caps that at six months; permanent residents get three months to convert.
Driving in Croatia on a US License 2026: 12 Months, IDP
A US license covers you in Croatia for 12 months; carry an IDP as the translation, and note winter tyres are compulsory from 15 Nov to 15 Apr.
Dutch Roads on a British Licence 2026: 185 Days if Resident
British photocard holders drive in the Netherlands with no IDP. Residents get 185 days on the UK licence, then must swap it for a Dutch one to drive on.
Dutch Speeding Fines 2026: EUR 28 to EUR 541 + EUR 9
The 2026 OM tariff starts at EUR 28 for 4 km/h over on a motorway and reaches EUR 541 at 40 over, plus EUR 9 admin — and the correction is only 3 km/h.
Dutch Winter Tyres 2026: Nothing to Fit, 1.6 mm Floor
Dutch law sets no winter tyre season and bans studs, leaving 1.6 mm as the only checkable figure - Germany's snow rule starts a few kilometres east.
Egypt Speed Limits 2026: 100 km/h and the 1949 IDP
Egypt runs 100 km/h on the desert highways and 60 in town. The paperwork bites harder: a 1949 international permit has to travel with your own licence.
Egypt Winter Tyres 2026: No Law, Desert Heat Sets the Rules
Egypt has no winter tyre rule and no season that would need one. What wears tyres out here is heat, sand and long desert runs, so check age and pressure.
Estonia 2026: Default 90 km/h, 120 on One Summer Stretch
Estonia's roads default to 90 km/h; in summer divided four-lane sections go to 110 or 120, and speeding up to 20 km/h over costs EUR 7 per km/h over.
Estonia Winter Tyres 2026-27: 1 Dec to 1 Mar, Studs Earlier
Estonia makes winter tyres compulsory 1 Dec-1 Mar, with a 3 mm floor and the snowflake mark. Studs are allowed from 15 October, or 1 October in early snow.
Finland 2026: 120 km/h Motorways Drop to 100 Each Winter
Finnish motorways signed 120 km/h in summer are cut to 100 by the end of October, and 100 km/h roads to 80. Fines run EUR 70-200 up to 20 km/h over.
Finland Winter Tyres 2026-27: 1 Nov-31 Mar, 3 mm Floor
Finland requires winter tyres from 1 November to 31 March whenever conditions demand it, and the winter tread floor is 3 mm, not the 1.6 mm summer figure.
France Speeding Fine 2026: EUR 135, or EUR 90 in 15 Days
The everyday French speeding fine is EUR 135, cut to EUR 90 inside 15 days and raised to EUR 375 late. Under 20 km/h over on the open road it is EUR 68.
German Autobahn 2026: No Limit, EUR 150 Where One Is Posted
Most of the Autobahn has no general limit, but 130 km/h is the official recommendation and a posted one is real: 26-30 km/h over costs EUR 150 out of town.
German Speeding Fines 2026: Cheap Until the Ban Lands
Ten over costs about €30 in town and €20 outside, so the money is not the deterrent in Germany — the points in Flensburg and the one-month ban are.
Greece Motorway Speed Limit 2026: 130 km/h, EUR 150
130 km/h on motorways, but the towns fell to 30 km/h in January 2026. Tolerance, the cash-paying police radar and every band of the new fine.
Greece Winter Tyres 2026: No Season, New 30 km/h Towns
No Greek winter-tyre season exists and tread stays at 1.6 mm. The rule that did change for 2026 is the 30 km/h default inside built-up areas.
Hungary Motorway 2026: 130 km/h, Zero Alcohol Rule
Hungary's motorway limit is 130 km/h. The automatic fine starts at 20 km/h over and opens at HUF 50,000 - and the alcohol limit is a flat zero.
Hungary Speeding Fine 2026: HUF 30,000 at 10 km/h Over
A fixed tariff with no roadside haggling, billed to whoever owns the car. Every band in forint and in euro, plus the rental handling-fee trap.
Hungary Winter Tyres 2026: No Mandate, 1.6 mm All Year
Hungarian law sets no winter-tyre season for cars. Only the 1.6 mm tread floor binds year-round, and the neighbouring countries are where the rules start.
Iceland on a British Licence 2026: 12 Months, Test-Free Swap
A UK photocard works in Iceland with no IDP. Iceland's own rule allows 12 months for non-EEA licences, and residents can swap without a driving test.
Iceland Winter Tyres 2026: No Mandate, 3 mm From 1 November
Iceland sets no winter-tyre date. From 1 Nov to 14 Apr every car tyre needs 3 mm of tread and studs are legal; snow or ice calls for chains or grip tyres.
India Expressway Speed 2026: 120 km/h on a Few Roads
India's 120 km/h ceiling belongs to its newest access-controlled expressways alone. On national highways and city roads the number drops steeply.
India Winter Tyres 2026: No Rule, Passes Close Instead
No Indian rule mentions winter tyres and there is no studded category; in the high Himalaya the answer is chains, clearance and whether the pass is open.
Ireland Motorway Speed 2026: 120 km/h, Local Roads 60
Irish motorways are 120 km/h and local rural roads dropped to 60 km/h in February 2025 — plus the M50 toll you must pay by 8pm the next day.
Ireland Winter Tyres 2026: No Law, and Wet Ice Instead
Ireland sets no winter-tyre rule and no seasonal dates. The real hazard is wet, frosty rural tarmac, where tread depth above the 1.6 mm floor decides grip.
Is 150 km/h Legal in Poland? No — It Is 140 km/h in 2026
Poland's motorway limit is 140 km/h everywhere; the 150 km/h idea for three-lane sections is still under ministry review. Expressways run at 120 km/h.
Italy 2026: A US Licence Needs an IDP or Translation by Law
Article 135 of Italy's Highway Code requires an IDP or official Italian translation with a US licence; driving without one is fined EUR 408 to 1,634.
Italy Motorway Speed Limit 2026: 130 km/h, Tutor Cams
Italy's autostrada limit is 130 km/h, but the Tutor system averages your speed between two gantries, so braking for one camera achieves nothing.
Italy Speeding Fines 2026: €42 to €3,382, 30% Off 5 Days
All four 2026 speeding bands for Italy, €42 to €3,382, which two still qualify for the 30% five-day discount, plus the night surcharge and rental fee.
Japan Expressway Speed 2026: 100 km/h, 120 If Signed
Japan's expressway limit is 100 km/h, 120 on a few upgraded stretches. Ordinary roads default to 60 km/h and unmarked narrow streets to just 30.
Japan Speeding 2026: 30 Over in Town Is a Court Case
Japan's ticket system stops at 30 km/h over in town and 40 on expressways. Past those lines there is no fixed fine — the file goes to a prosecutor.
Japan Won't Take a US Licence Alone: 1949 IDP Needed in 2026
A US licence alone is not valid in Japan. You need a paper IDP under the 1949 Geneva Convention, and it covers one year counted from the day you land.
Korea Expressway Limit 2026: 100 km/h, 120 on Named Routes
Korea's expressway maximum is 100 km/h, raised to 120 only on routes the police designate. Ordinary roads run at 60, towns at 50, and rain cuts all of it.
Latvia Speed Limits 2026: 110 km/h Top, 90 Standard
Latvia tops out at 110 km/h where it is signposted; 90 is the everyday limit outside towns and 50 inside. The Via Baltica is where the radar sits.
Latvia Winter Tyres 2026: Clause 219, 4 mm, 1 December
Clause 219 puts cars up to 3.5 t on winter tyres from 1 December to 1 March, and CSDD measures 4 mm. Studs are legal, except from 1 May to 1 October.
Lithuania Motorway Speed Limit 2026: 130, €600 at 30 Over
Cars 130 km/h, trucks 90, towns 50, with about 5 km/h of tolerance. The ladder climbs from €30-50 to €200-600 and three points. Full table inside.
Lithuania Winter Tyres 2026-27: 10 Nov, 3 mm Minimum
Lithuania fixes winter tyres to the calendar, 10 November to 31 March, and asks 3 mm of tread on them — against the 1.6 mm that applies in summer.
Luxembourg 2026: 130 km/h Dry, 110 in Rain, EUR 145 Fine
Luxembourg's autoroutes allow 130 km/h dry and 110 in rain; up to 25 km/h over costs EUR 49, more costs EUR 145 and two points, after a 3% margin.
Luxembourg Winter Tyres 2026: Frost or Slush, EUR 74 Fine
Luxembourg sets no winter-tyre dates. Black ice, packed snow, slush or frost make winter tyres compulsory on all wheels, for any plate. Fine: EUR 74.
Mexico Winter Tyres 2026: No Law, but Chihuahua Closes Roads
Mexico has no winter-tyre law. Most routes never see ice, but winter storms in Chihuahua's sierra can close dozens of road sections at once. Check first.
Mexico's Federal Highways 2026: 110 km/h Only Where Signed
On Mexico's federal highways cars may do 110 km/h where signed; unsigned stretches are 100 by day and 90 at night. Buses stop at 95 and trucks at 80.
Montenegro Motorway Speed 2026: 130 on One Short Road
Montenegro's 130 km/h motorway limit covers barely any road, just one short A1 section, while the rest of the trip crawls over mountain and coast.
Montenegro Winter Tyres 2026: 4 mm From 15 November
Winter tyres are compulsory from 15 November to 1 April, and the tread they are measured against is 4 mm rather than 1.6 mm. Studs are banned outright.
Morocco Winter Tyres 2026: None Required, Atlas Aside
Moroccan law sets no winter tyre rule and studs are not a category here - but the High Atlas passes take real snow, where chains do the work instead.
Morocco's Autoroutes Cap Cars at 120 km/h: 2026 DH Fines
Morocco limits autoroutes to 120 km/h and national roads mostly to 80. Up to 20 km/h over costs 300 dirhams; 50 km/h over is a délit, not a fine.
Netherlands Speed Limit After 7pm 2026: 120-130, Not 100
Dutch motorways run 100 km/h from 06:00 to 19:00 and 120-130 after that, except 117 km of the A6, A7 and A37 at 130 around the clock since 2025.
New Zealand Open Road Speed 2026: 100, 110 If Signed
New Zealand's open road limit is 100 km/h, with 110 on a few signed expressways. Narrow winding highways make the map lie about your travel time.
North Macedonia Motorways 2026: 130, Then a Licence Ban
The A1 to Greece runs at 130 km/h for cars and 110 for trucks, and 30 over turns a MKD 3,000 ticket into MKD 12,000-30,000 plus licence suspension.
North Macedonia Winter Tyres 2026: 15 Nov Start, 4 mm
North Macedonia requires winter kit from 15 Nov to 15 Mar: winter tyres with 4 mm tread, or 4 mm summer tyres plus chains. Studded tyres are banned.
Norway Motorway 2026: 110 km/h, Fixed-Tariff Fines
Norway's motorway limit is 110 km/h and its fines are fixed by regulation, not income: NOK 3,350 at 10 km/h over, NOK 13,450 at 30, then court.
Norway Winter Tyres 2026: 3 mm Rule, NOK 1,000 a Tyre
Norway's winter rule is a tread-depth rule: at least 3 mm from 1 November, 5 mm above 3.5 t, and the fine is charged per tyre rather than per car.
Poland Speeding Fines 2026: PLN 50 to PLN 2,500 Ladder
The Polish tariff runs in ten steps from PLN 50 to PLN 2,500, doubling on a repeat above 31 km/h over, and doubling again if you will not name the driver.
Poland Winter Tyres 2026: No Law, Whatever the Snow
No seasonal rule, no conditional rule and no offence for summer tyres in January, while studs are banned all year. The binding number is 1.6 mm of tread.
Portugal Motorways 2026: 120 km/h, Barrier-Free Tolls
Portuguese motorways run at 120 km/h, but the charge that catches visitors is the barrier-free toll on the former SCUT roads such as the Algarve A22.
Rain Cuts France's 130 km/h Motorway Limit to 110 in 2026
French autoroutes allow 130 km/h when dry, 110 in rain and 50 in fog under 50 m; probationary drivers stop at 110. From EUR 68 for under 5 km/h over.
Romania Motorway Speed 2026: 130 km/h, Few Motorways
Romania posts 130 km/h on its motorways, but most of the country is single-carriageway DN road at 90, and a rovinieta is needed to drive any of it.
Serbia 2026 Winter Rules: 4 mm Tyres Plus Chains in Snow
From 1 Nov to 1 Apr, Serbia requires winter kit once snow, ice or black ice covers the road: winter tyres with 4 mm tread plus chains. Fine RSD 5,000.
Serbia Motorway Speed Limit 2026: 130 km/h, Trucks 80
Serbia runs 130 km/h on motorways, 80 outside towns and 50 in them. Handheld radar works the E75, and the fine is paid in dinars on the spot.
Slovakia Motorway Speed 2026: 130 km/h, Zero Alcohol
Slovak motorways allow 130 km/h, but only with an electronic vignette on your plate, and the drink-drive limit is an absolute zero with no tolerance.
Slovakia Winter Tyres 2026: No Fixed Dates for Cars
Slovak law ties winter tyres for cars to snow, ice or frost on the road, not to a calendar. When the rule bites, the tread must be at least 3 mm.
Slovenia Motorway 2026: 130 km/h, EUR 300 No Vignette
Slovenia posts 130 km/h on motorways and fines EUR 300 for using one without an e-vignette — but the coastal H5 and H6 left the system in January 2026.
Slovenia Winter Kit 2026: Tyres or Chains, 15 Nov-15 Mar
From 15 Nov to 15 Mar a Slovenian car needs winter tyres on all wheels or summer tyres plus chains, all with 3 mm tread. Studs are banned; fine EUR 40.
Snow Tyres in New Zealand 2026: No Law, Chains Instead
New Zealand sets no winter tyre rule. What the South Island alpine passes ask for is chains, carried and fitted when the signs and road reports say so.
South Africa Freeways 2026: 120 km/h, and 60 in Town
South African freeways run at 120 km/h and built-up areas at 60, with heavy goods vehicles held lower. The legal tread minimum here is 1 mm, not 1.6.
South Africa Winter Tyres 2026: None, and 1 mm Tread Law
South Africa has no winter-tyre rule and a 1 mm legal tread minimum. Snow is rare but real: in September 2024 it shut the N3 over Van Reenen's Pass.
South Korea Speeding Fine 2026: 2x in 30 km/h School Zones
South Korea charges KRW 30,000-40,000 for 1-20 km/h over and past KRW 130,000 at the top, then doubles all of it inside a 30 km/h school zone. Four bands.
Spain's 2026 Speed Fines Table: EUR 100-600, Half in 20 Days
Spain's speeding fines come from one table: EUR 100, 300, 400, 500 or 600 by limit and measured speed. Paying within 20 calendar days takes 50% off.
Spain's Autovías 2026: 120 km/h, EUR 100 Up to 150 km/h
Spain's autopistas and autovías allow 120 km/h for cars but only 90 for vans and cars towing. Up to 150 km/h costs EUR 100; from 151, points are lost.
Speeding Fines in Greece: €150 to €2,000+ Under the New Traffic Code
Greece's 2025 Traffic Code sets EUR 150 up to 20 km/h over, EUR 350 for 30-50 over, EUR 700 plus a 60-day ban above 50 over, EUR 2,000 above 200 km/h.
Speeding in Portugal 2026: Four Fine Bands, EUR 60 to 2,500
Portugal's Highway Code fines car drivers EUR 60 to 2,500 for speeding, in four bands, tighter in towns. The serious bands add points and a driving ban.
Sweden Speeding 2026: 3 km/h Tolerance, SEK 2,000 Fine
Sweden allows roughly 3 km/h before a camera fires and 110 km/h at best. See the SEK band for your own margin and where day-fines take over.
Sweden Winter Tyres 2026: Snow Triggers It, SEK 2,000 Fine
Sweden's 1 Dec-31 Mar winter tyre rule bites only in snow, ice, slush or frost. Cars need 3 mm tread and the alpine symbol; studs run 1 Oct to 15 April.
Swiss Motorways in 2026: 120 km/h, CHF 260 at 21-25 Over
Switzerland caps motorways at 120 km/h. Fixed fines run CHF 20-260 up to 25 km/h over; beyond that a prosecutor decides, and 200 km/h means prison.
Swiss Winter Tyres 2026: No Mandate, Studs Capped at 80
Switzerland has no winter-tyre law, only a duty to keep the car roadworthy. Studs are allowed 1 Nov-30 Apr at up to 80 km/h and are barred from motorways.
Switzerland 2026: CHF 20 Speeding Tickets to Raser Prison
Swiss fixed speeding tickets run from CHF 20 to CHF 260 by road type. Beyond them a prosecutor decides, and Raser speeds bring one to four years in prison.
Thailand 2026: 120 km/h Is Allowed in the Right Lane Only
Thailand lets cars do 120 km/h only on designated divided highway sections, in the right-hand lane, where 100 km/h is also the minimum. Traffic keeps left.
Thailand Winter Tyres 2026: Irrelevant, Monsoon Grip Isn't
Thailand has no winter-tyre rule and no snow on its roads. What matters is wet grip in the monsoon: tread depth, correct pressures, lower speed in floods.
Turkey Motorway Speed Limit 2026: 130 km/h, Some 140 km/h
Cars may do 130 km/h on KGM motorways in Turkey and 140 km/h on build-operate-transfer toll roads; 2026 fines start 6 km/h over in town, 11 outside.
Turkey Speeding Fines 2026: TRY 2,000 to TRY 30,000
Turkey rewrote its speeding ladder on 12 February 2026: nine bands from TRY 2,000, licence confiscation from 46 km/h over, and 25% off for prompt payment.
UK Licence in Croatia 2026: No IDP, Winter Tyre Trap
Your UK photocard needs no IDP in Croatia, says gov.uk. The rule that does bite is winter tyres on designated roads from 15 November to 15 April.
UK Licence in France 2026: Issue Date Decides for Residents
Visitors drive in France on a UK photocard with no IDP. Residents keep a pre-2021 licence until expiry; one issued later must be exchanged within a year.
UK Licence in Germany 2026: No IDP, and No Paperwork
A UK photocard needs no International Driving Permit in Germany — gov.uk says so. The six-month clock starts only if you move there, not on a visit.
UK Licence in Greece 2026: No IDP, but Mind the Scooter
No IDP needed in Greece with a UK photocard, valid 12 months. The catch is the island scooter: the licence must carry the motorcycle category.
UK Licence in Italy 2026: No IDP Needed, Mind the ZTL
Post-Brexit a UK photocard licence still works in Italy with no international permit. The expensive trap is the ZTL camera in every historic centre.
UK Licence in Mexico 2026: Valid, but Watch the Plates
The FCDO says a UK photocard licence is enough to drive in Mexico. The rule that catches visitors is Hoy No Circula, which reads the plate, not the driver.
UK Licence in Portugal 2026: No IDP, But Mind the A22
Yes: gov.uk says a UK photocard needs no IDP anywhere in the EU, Portugal included. What does catch British drivers is the A22's barrier-free toll.
UK Licence in Turkey 2026: 1968 IDP or Notarised Copy
Turkey asks for more than your UK licence: a 1968 International Driving Permit or a notarised Turkish translation, plus a green card for insurance.
UK Motorway Speed 2026: 70 mph, and 20 mph in Wales
The UK motorway limit is 70 mph, posted in miles per hour. Wales now defaults to 20 mph in built-up areas while the rest of the UK stays at 30 mph.
UK Photocard Drivers in Spain 2026: Six Months Once Resident
A UK photocard licence is enough to drive in Spain on holiday, with no IDP. Move there and it counts for six months, so start the exchange before that.
UK Speeding Fines 2026: £100 and 3 Points, or a Court Band
The UK fixed penalty is £100 and three points. In court the fine is a share of weekly income in band A, B or C, capped at £1,000, or £2,500 on a motorway.
UK Winter Tyres 2026: No Law, 1.6 mm and 3 Points a Tyre
The UK has no winter-tyre law or season. The legal test is 1.6 mm of tread across the central three-quarters; a defective tyre carries 3 penalty points.
US Interstate Speed Limits 2026: No National Number
There is no federal US speed limit. Every state sets its own, from 55 mph to Texas at 85, so the legal number changes at each state line you cross.
US Licence in Australia 2026: Valid, State Rules Apply
A US licence is accepted across Australia while you stay a temporary visitor. The three-month limit belongs to permanent visa holders, not to tourists.
US Licence in France 2026: One Year, and a Translation
A US licence works in France for a visit, but it must be readable in French. The one-year clock starts when you take up residence, not when you land.
US Licence in Germany 2026: Six Months Start at Residence
A US licence works in Germany for visits with a translation or IDP. The six-month clock only starts when you take residence, extendable by six months.
US Licence in Greece 2026: 12 Months, Scooter Is the Trap
A US licence covers a hire car in Greece for 12 months without an IDP. Rent a scooter on Santorini or Crete and the motorcycle category is what decides it.
US Licence in Mexico 2026: The Insurance Is the Catch
Your US licence is accepted in Mexico, but your US insurance policy is not. Federal roads require liability cover written by a Mexican insurer.
US Licence in Portugal 2026: Valid Alone, on Two Conditions
Portugal accepts a US licence on its own if it was issued or renewed in the last 15 years and you are under 60; otherwise add an IDP for 185 days.
US Licence in Turkey 2026: Valid Six Months From Your Entry
Turkish law lets a foreign visitor drive on a home licence for six months from entry. The US State Department accepts a US licence alone; an IDP is extra.
US License in South Africa 2026: English Means No IDP
A US license already written in English, carrying your photo and signature, is valid in South Africa for 12 months. No International Driving Permit.
US License in Spain 2026: 6 Months, IDP or Translation
A US license is accepted in Spain for six months, but it must travel with an IDP or a sworn translation, and the car driving age here is 18, not 15.
US License in Thailand 2026: Valid 3 Months, IDP or Fine
A US license works in Thailand for 3 months only with an IDP. Checkpoints fine drivers without one, and an insurer can refuse the claim that follows.
US License in the Netherlands 2026: 185 Days Once Resident
A US license works for a Dutch holiday; the 185-day limit starts only when you register as a resident. The RDW advises an IDP, and cyclists hold priority.
US Speeding Fines 2026: 50 Schedules, Not One Number
There is no national US speeding fine. New York sets $45-600 by statute, Virginia turns 20 mph over into a criminal charge, and the rest differ again.
US Winter Tyres 2026: Chain Controls, Not a Federal Rule
No federal US law requires winter tyres. Mountain states use chain controls and traction laws instead, and each state sets its own studded-tyre season.
Winter Tyres France 2026: 34 Mountain Départements
From 1 November to 31 March the Loi Montagne demands 3PMSF tyres or chains in 34 French mountain départements, wherever the B58 sign is posted.
Winter Tyres in Australia 2026: Only the Alpine Roads
Australia has no winter tyre law. The snow country - the Snowy Mountains and the Victorian Alps - is about carrying chains, and nowhere else comes close.
Winter Tyres in Germany 2026: No Dates, Snowflake Only
Germany's winter tyre rule carries no calendar dates: StVO 2(3a) bans ice, snow or slush driving without 3PMSF tyres. EUR 60 and a Flensburg point.
Winter Tyres in Italy 2026: 15 Nov-15 Apr, EUR 87-345
Italy signs the rule road by road from 15 Nov to 15 Apr: winter tyres or chains on board, EUR 87-345 without. Which roads sign it, and which never do.
Winter Tyres in Japan: Studless Tyres for Hokkaido & the North
Japan sets winter-tyre rules by prefecture — Hokkaido, Tohoku and the snow country require them.
Winter Tyres in Portugal 2026: No Law, One Snowy Range
Portugal sets no winter tyre requirement at any time of year. The only place snow changes your plans is Serra da Estrela, where the road itself closes.
Winter Tyres in Romania 2026-27: No Dates, 9-20 Points
Romania has no winter tyre calendar: the rule applies whenever snow, ice or slush covers the road, and costs 9-20 penalty points plus your registration.
Winter Tyres in Spain 2026: Signs Decide, Not the Date
Spain sets no winter-tyre season: the requirement appears on a sign at the foot of a mountain road. And since January 2026 your triangles are not legal.
Winter Tyres in Turkey 2026: 1 Dec-1 Apr, by Order
Turkey's winter tyre window runs 1 December to 1 April for intercity commercial vehicles, and a governor can widen it to 15 November-15 April. Studs banned
Winter Tyres South Korea 2026: No Law, Gangwon Snow
South Korea sets no winter-tyre mandate. What changes in snow is the speed limit itself: posted limits drop by 20 or 50 per cent automatically, by law.